Report: Sharks players break off communication with Evander Kane

Don't look now but San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane's historic 21 game suspension is set to expire later this month, making him eligible to rejoin the team on November 30th. 

But... there's no way Kane ever plays for the Sharks again, is there? Kane, of course, was the subject of three separate investigations this past season all due to off-ice activity, mostly stemming from an ugly divorce from estranged wife Anna Kane. Anna alleged that Kane physically, verbally and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions and that he illegally bet on NHL games, including his own games. An independent investigation by the NHL found all of these claims to be either baseless or unprovable, but they did uncover the fact that Kane lied about his vaccination status and attempted to undermine the NHL's COVID-19 protocols by providing a fake vaccination status card. As a result he was suspended 21 games.

Now, with Kane's suspension set to expire, you have to wonder what's next?

We already know that Sharks GM Doug Wilson tried to trade Kane this past offseason, to no avail. After all, who would want a player with that kind of baggage? Never mind the fact that Kane is also due a whopping $7 million annually for the next four seasons. He's virtually untrade-able, in my eyes.

So... could he be back with the Sharks?

I wouldn't bet on it.

Sharks captain Logan Couture, who has been somewhat openly critical of Kane in the past, has gushed this season about the team's chemistry and about how a black cloud has been lifted from their locker room. It's not difficult to read between the lines there. It's also believed that Kane has only one real friend on the team and that's forward Tomas Hertl. 

Surely Hertl wants his old buddy back on the team, right?

Nope.

"I didn't talk to him. I don't know anybody who saw him or talked to him. Honestly, I don't know the next step," Hertl said to Sharks insider Kevin Kurz earlier today.

Translation: He's done in San Jose.

The thing is... what does Doug Wilson do with Kane? He can't trade him. He can't play him. He can't even buy him out until the summer. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't push further to have Kane's contract terminated during the height of his offseason controversy. Needless to say, the controversy may just be getting started. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the ongoing soap opera that is Evander Kane's life.