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Evander Kane, Sharks reach settlement in grievance case

Evander Kane played more than 200 games for the Sharks over four seasons. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Evander Kane played more than 200 games for the Sharks over four seasons. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Evander Kane and the San Jose Sharks have reached an agreement in regards to his grievance filed against the team.

San Jose terminated Kane’s contract in January due to an alleged breach of COVID-19 protocols. Kane was found to have manufactured a fake vaccination card, and was suspended 21 games in Oct. 2021 as a result. The 31-year-old later contracted COVID while in the AHL and his contract was terminated in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49-million pact he signed with the Sharks in May 2018.

“The San Jose Sharks have reached an agreement with Evander Kane regarding the termination of his NHL Standard Player Contract," the Sharks said in a press release Friday. "The agreement has been approved by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association. We are satisfied that its terms will not adversely impact the team, either financially or competitively, in this or future seasons.”

Kane was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year deal on Jan. 27, just 19 days after his contract was terminated by the Sharks. Despite mounting pressure from factions of the media and fans due to Kane’s numerous off-ice transgressions — including several domestic violence allegations levied by his ex-wife Anna — the Oilers signed the high-scoring winger, and received the endorsement of captain Connor McDavid. Kane registered 22 goals and 39 points in 43 regular season games with the Oilers, then added 13 goals and 17 points during the team’s playoff run.

Kane signed a four-year, $20.5 million contract with the Oilers in July, tying himself to the team’s long-term aspirations.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the settlement will bridge the majority of the difference between what remained on Kane’s previous contract with the Sharks and the new deal he inked with the Oilers this summer.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to put that behind us and we can move on from it,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said Wednesday via Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group. “It’s been something that’s been talked about a lot, it’s taken a lot of people’s time and effort but hopefully we’ll be able to put some closure to it.

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