Evander Kane crosses the line with latest decision

Evander Kane is once again raising eyebrows… What else is new?

It’s been confirmed by Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote that Kane will not suit up against the Colorado Avalanche, having been dealing with an injury for several games now. The timing, however, is what’s drawing the most criticism.

Just days earlier, Kane dressed for a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, marking his 1000th career NHL game, a major personal milestone. But now, with the injury confirmed, many are pretty sure that decision was about not the team, but about Kane himself.

By all accounts, Kane was already playing hurt. And yet, he still took the ice to ensure he hit that 1000-game mark, only to sit out immediately afterward. For his many critics, it’s not a great look.

With the Canucks attempting to stay competitive, the optics of a veteran player prioritizing a personal milestone over full health, and potentially over team performance, are hard to ignore. Kane reportedly didn’t look like himself in that game, which only adds fuel to the fire.

There’s also a bigger picture at play.

Vancouver had reportedly been trying to move Kane ahead of the trade deadline last month, even willing to retain part of his $5.125 million cap hit, but found no takers. With his future uncertain and a potential buyout looming this summer, some are wondering if hitting that 1000-game milestone was about more than just pride, and more about being too afraid to be bought out this summer and out of luck to re-sign elsewhere in the NHL to notch that milestone?

Fair or not, the situation paints a complicated picture. Milestones matter in hockey, but not over your teammates and the team.

And right now, Kane is finding himself at the center of yet another controversy.