Evander Kane knows signing with the Edmonton Oilers wonB次元官网网址檛 be a move universally loved by the teamB次元官网网址檚 fans.
Edmonton will be his fifth NHL city, and the Oilers the fourth franchise, for which the 30-year-old has played. There will be questions about his past B次元官网网址� from suspensions due to violations of COVID protocols, a bankruptcy and self-confessed gambling problems. His contract was voided by the San Jose Sharks.
The biggest headlines of his career, though, came from allegations of abuse lodged by his ex-wife, which were not proven in court. Kane has custody of the former coupleB次元官网网址檚 daughter.
The Oilers brain trust and Kane met with the media Friday morning at Rogers Place to officially introduce the winger. Kane is on a deal with the Oilers B次元官网网址� with a reported salary of US$750,000 and $625,000 in bonuses B次元官网网址� that takes him to the end of this season, and nothing more.
Kane was asked what heB次元官网网址檇 say to the segment of Edmonton hockey fans who might not be happy heB次元官网网址檚 joining the team.
B次元官网网址淚 want to clear up a lot of the misinformation, a lot of the storylines painting me in a certain light that are completely untrue, inaccurate and false,B次元官网网址� Kane said. B次元官网网址淚 would encourage (fans) to be open-minded, to allow me to do what I do best and get to know me on the ice, off the ice, around the rink, in the community, and see what I bring to the table.
B次元官网网址淓very city IB次元官网网址檝e been in, IB次元官网网址檝e always worked in the community and done what I can to help make that city, that community a better place.B次元官网网址�
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no denying KaneB次元官网网址檚 pedigree on the ice. HeB次元官网网址檚 got 506 points in 769 games. But Kane has continually generated headlines for the wrong reasons.
In 2021-22, he was suspended 21 games by the NHL for violating COVID-19 protocols. He was investigated by the league for another alleged violation this season that concluded earlier this week, with the league stating there was not sufficient evidence to conclude Kane B次元官网网址渒nowingly made misrepresentations regarding his COVID-19 status or test results in connection with his international travel.B次元官网网址�
Kane declared bankruptcy in 2021, with more than US$26 million in debts. HeB次元官网网址檚 publicly admitted he has a gambling issue, has seen a therapist for that, but has repeatedly denied that he bet on or influenced NHL games.
B次元官网网址淚 take responsibility for things IB次元官网网址檝e done wrong,B次元官网网址� Kane said. B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檓 definitely not taking responsibility for things I havenB次元官网网址檛 doneB次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 funny that people think that I am going to come in, like some kid on the playground, and disrupt everything. ThatB次元官网网址檚 just not the case. IB次元官网网址檝e had a lot of experience on and off the ice, IB次元官网网址檝e been in this league a long time, and I try to share those experiences with my team, and try to help them prevent making the same mistakes that I have.B次元官网网址�
Oilers president of hockey operations and general manager Ken Holland said, after speaking with Kane via Zoom shortly after his dismissal from the Sharks, he began doing his homework. Would Kane be a fit?
B次元官网网址淚 talked to people in our organization, I talked to people outside the organization,B次元官网网址� said Holland. B次元官网网址淚n the end, youB次元官网网址檙e talking about chemistry. When it comes to his talent, his skill set, obviously heB次元官网网址檚 a very, very talented player thatB次元官网网址檚 going to make us better.B次元官网网址�
Holland, coach Dave Tippett and Kane had dinner in Vancouver earlier this week, when the Oilers were in the city to play the Canucks. They met for two and a half hours.
B次元官网网址淚 left that dinner feeling that Evander would be a real positive addition to our hockey team,B次元官网网址� Holland said.
Kane is expected to make his Oilers debut when the team faces Montreal Saturday night.
He said B次元官网网址渜uite a few teamsB次元官网网址� showed interest in signing him after he and the Sharks parted ways.
B次元官网网址淚 had to make a decision that was going to be the best for me, and those teams continued to dwindle down, and we got to a number where Edmonton was obviously in the mix,B次元官网网址� Kane said. B次元官网网址淭he more conversations we had, the further the process continued. It just became more and more evident that this was the best fit for me.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址擲teven Sandor, The Canadian Press
