Evander Kane’s new contract with Edmonton could dissolve...

Evander Kane is back with the Edmonton Oilers - but is he? There is still a possibility that his new contract - the one he signed in the middle of the night early on Wednesday - could be dissolve by the NHL as team insider Ryan Rishaug of TSN explains.

As you know, the upcoming arbitration ruling between Kane and his former team the San Jose Sharks was not resolved before the start of free agency on Wednesday. Kane and the Sharks are having their cases heard by an arbitrator to determine whether or not Kane’s contract was properly terminated and whether or not Kane is entitled to the remaining amount of the remaining $21 million of his seven year contract.

Rishaug pointed out how the situation could turn out and one of the possibilities if that “Kane wins - Oiler deal dissolves, Kane becomes Sharks property, contract fully intact including his no trade stipulations.”

The insider says it best: there’s plenty still to de determined.

Kane agreed to a four-year, $20.5 million contract with the Oilers prior to the market opening. The deal comes with a $5.125 million annual cap hit.

When he made the announcement on social media, Kane mentioned how grateful he was towards the Oilers for giving him a chance when he was caught up in many controversial situations. On top of the grievance chaos, he was also suspended by San Jose for 21 games for submitting a fake vaccine card earlier last season. And that’s without mentioning the gambling issues, the domestic abuse allegations and the custody battle he has with his estranged wife while having a kid with his new girlfriend.

I bet he is pretty busy this offseason…

Kane joined the Oilers midway through the 2021-22 season on a one-year deal after having a previous contract terminated by the San Jose Sharks. Kane put up 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 regular-season games for the Oilers, while adding 13 goals and four assists in 15 playoff games after signing for the team in January.

While he is inked to play there for years to come, it remains to be seen what the arbitrator has to say on the grievance case with the Sharks.

To be continued…