Evander Kane denies rift with teammates, could return to Sharks

Evander Kane has put his agent Dan Milstein in charge of this plan to get him back in the NHL. That’s what the controversial player revealed following his first practice with the San Jose Sharks’ minor league affiliate on Tuesday.

After serving his 21-game suspension, Kane was eligible to return to action yesterday as the Sharks faced off against the New Jersey Devils, however, his team placed him on waivers Sunday, paving the way for his assignment to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. As you know, Kane was suspended for 21 games over a violation of the NHL’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol, reportedly due to his use of a fake vaccine card.

As he faced media and answered questions on what is next in his career, Kane said he’s leaving it up to the Sharks and his new agent, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Sports, to work out the next steps.

However, he stunned everyone when he denied a rift with his teammates. Multiple reports have indicated that Sharks players did not want Kane back in the dressing room : Kane said he was surprised to hear that.

“I don’t think you’re going to have a group of people for 150 or 160 days get along perfectly, but I think there’s been a misconception of the entire team or multiple players,” he said. “It’s funny: I had my end of the year meeting last year and it was all positive, positive, positive. But apparently something happened over the summer that I wasn’t aware of. It was all new to me and news to me. It was interesting.”

That being said, he admitted that hasn’t spoken with any Sharks teammates over the past month.

“No, I’ve been doing my own thing. Getting myself prepared, handling my business. As I’m sure they have,” he said.

As for his future with the Sharks, Pierre LeBrun explained on last night’s Insider Trading on TSN that San Jose is looking to move him - though we all know this might be tough - and talked about the possibility of Kane returning to the Sharks:

“He’s aware he might have to go back to the Sharks, that perhaps that transaction might not materialize and it’s something he’s open to doing. Not sure how he’ll be welcomed back in that dressing room, there was certainly was some tension there last season, but if this trade doesn’t happen, we might have to see him come back in the teal before he plays in another city.”

This would be another chapter to the saga if Kane has to return to the Sharks - no doubt!