Evander Kane is close to signing a deal with the Edmonton Oilers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting.
Although the deal has not been completed and the NHL still has to rule on possible discipline for his violating COVID-19 protocol, Friedman said the contract would be worth $750,000 in salary and $625,000 in signing bonus, which means a cap hit of about $2.1 million. Friedman added that the proposed contract has a full no-movement clause.
Kane tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 21 and then flew to Vancouver on Dec. 29. At that time, Kane would have still been in the 10-day AHL COVID-19 protocol. When the San Jose Sharks terminated Kane’s contract on Jan. 9, they said it was for “breach of his Standard Player Contract” and “violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols.”
Kane signed a seven-year, $49-million deal with San Jose in 2018.
The NHL initially supported the Sharks’ move, saying it was “satisfied the club has sufficient grounds to effectuate a termination.” The NHLPA challenged the termination before the NHL investigation by filing a grievance. It wasn’t immediately known how the grievance would effect the NHL’s decision.
Before the season began, Kane was suspended for 21 games for the use of a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. When he was eligible to return, he joined the AHL’s San Jose Barracudas, where he had eight points in five games.
The COVID-protocol suspension at the start of the season was one incident in the controversy surrounding Kane.
The NHL also investigated allegations of domestic assault made by Anna Kane, his estranged wife, in a divorce filing, ultimately saying they “could not be substantiated.”
Anna Kane also said Evander Kane had bet on NHL games, including ones he played in with the Sharks, influencing their outcomes for his own financial benefit. The NHL’s investigation into those claims did not find evidence he had bet on hockey games.
The 30-year-old Kane had 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 56 games last season for the Sharks. Kane also has played for the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise and Buffalo since being drafted by the Thrashers fourth overall in 2009.
