Evander Kane transaction to turn into 3-team trade

Evander Kane was eligible to return to action tonight as the San Jose Sharks face 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.

Kane passed through unclaimed later on Monday, and while he is set to report to the AHL, his agent is working hard at finding a trade that could send him elsewhere in the NHL, per his agent Dan Milstein.

“We’re looking at all the options, working closely with the San Jose Sharks and other parties involved and hopefully there will be a resolution coming soon,” Milstein said.

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.

Sharks teammates had made it clear they are not interested in Kane rejoining the team, and it is believed GM Doug Wilson is looking at options to move his controversial player.

Last week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman provided an important update on a potential trade, stating that the Sharks are even willing to absorb part of Kane’s salary to make a transaction happen. Now on Tuesday, Friedman hinted at a possible 3-team trade to facilitate a Kane transaction:

“From what I heard they’re doing to do this as a 3-way, cause it’s very hard to fit Kane’s salary in on a straight up deal unless you’re taking something back that you may not want”.

The insider even wondered if the Arizona Coyotes, who were once rumoured to be willing to take on some of Jack Eichel’s salary in the trade to the Vegas Golden Knights, would be interested in being part of the Kane deal.

While Kane is a very controversial player, he did lead the Sharks with 49 points during the pandemic-shortened 2021 season.

He could find a rival club interested in acquiring him, despite his behaviour. Kane has three seasons left on his contract after this one at a $7 million average annual salary.