Even in the midst of a career year in terms of per-game scoring, Evander Kane’s 2020-21 campaign was dominated by off-ice issues. A bankruptcy filing and its ongoing proceeding, whispers of locker room discord, a divorce playing out in the public eye, and finally allegations that he bet on hockey has made Kane the most infamous name in the NHL right now. And unfortunately all of that noise may not be going away this season. A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reports that the NHL’s investigation into Kane has stalled and a decision may not be possible before the San Jose Sharks open training camp, if Kane was going to be invited anyhow.
Kane’s estranged wife, who initially made the allegations that her husband had gambled on his own games, has been uncooperative with the NHL’s outside investigators. Anna Kane has been unavailable for interview, making it impossible for the investigation that centers around her claims to continue. The NHL will not wait around forever, but need to do their due diligence when it comes to something as serious as a player betting on his own contests and impacting the integrity of the game. While Kane had previously stated that these allegations were not true and a ploy by his wife to ruin his career – a claim that gains validity the longer she avoids the investigation – the NHL will be hesitant to take Kane at his word without any corroborating evidence.
Perez does note that the NHL analyzed betting trends for Sharks games this past season and found no abnormalities. While this does not eliminate the possibility that Kane was betting on his games, or even on other NHL action, it could be all that the league can lean on if not other information has been discovered and Kane’s wife will not comply with the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have to decide how to deal with the situation, both if Kane is still under investigation when training camp begins or, even more intriguing, if he has been cleared. If the NHL rules that Kane did not bet on hockey, it doesn’t totally wipe the slate clean. He is still in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings related to gambling debts and has had other ugly allegations made against him by his wife (and vice-versa). All of this has certainly contributed to the numerous reports that there are many in the Sharks locker room who are unhappy with Kane’s presence and the organization’s continued support of the polarizing player. While none of his other off-ice issues beyond the NHL’s investigation will keep him from playing, there is serious question as to whether it will be in San Jose. Even at the top of his game, Kane likely lacks much if any value on the trade market right now, but the Sharks may need to do whatever they can to move on. A stalled investigation will make it near impossible to do that though.
So the NHL is saying that they would not take his word for it so they’re going to investigate? That makes absolutely no sense if the wife backs off and doesn’t testify or Recants her allegations that should be the end of it because in this country you are innocent until proven guilty and before she made these allegations the NHL had no reason to investigate this guy. Again I don’t know if it’s just the writers opinion or if he actually knows that the NHL is going to formulate some sort of investigation my guess is the NHL is so stupid they probably will
Ya, very odd. Seems like they are acting as though he’s guilty until proven innocent which is never the correct way to go.
Sadly, we seem to be moving away from the innocent before proven guilty concept in certain parts of North America.
Sounds like it’s just the writers opinion to me
What? Explain how an investigation equals guilt? Also this is SPORTS he’s not going to jail. Lol.
Only rich people are innocent until proven guilty.
It’s worth noting the “innocent until proven guilty” reference has a specific context within our legal system.
While it’s a good standard to work towards, it isn’t true elsewhere. One example. You view the NHL as guilty in your post (reasonably so).
Sounds to me like the writer made a typo. Maybe he left out the word to ‘not’ take his word.
I dont like Kane but if his accuser wont step forward let him play.
That’s basically my opinion as well. Just because I don’t like the guy doesn’t mean he should be treated differently than anyone else.
There are a number of valid reasons why accusers don’t step forward: threats, intimidation, and public backlash among them.
We simply don’t know enough of the facts yet to speculate (for or against Evander), which the author of this piece seems more than willing to do.
Well, even though this is a small point, I disagree that public backlash is a valid reason. She chose to step forward initially in a very public way.
Public backlash is something hard to comprehend unless you’ve lived it. It comes suddenly and unrelentingly. Many people on the right side of the truth (and I don’t know that she is, but) back down because of it. Just a point to consider.
You simply claim there’s not enough info out there yet your post presumes he’s guilty just cause she said so! Divorces can get ugly and we know she’s already bitter at him for his previous transgressions so isn’t reasonable to believe she’s just saying whatever to sabotage him for her case, his life and just for spite. Vindictiveness is brutal. By her not helping the investigation could be she’s just now trying to save face and no be caught in a big lie that could backfire and ruin her!
Barring further evidence, this is not a case for the NHL.
It is a case for CYS, though. At least, but not limited to, one of them shouldn’t be a parent.
I have a theory (and feel free to poke holes in my theory, it’s more of a question)… What if she isn’t cooperating with investigators because it’s now a big story thus trying to get even more pressure on the Sharks to just release Kane from his contract thus he doesn’t have to pay the debt he owed? I know it’s out there but theoretically it makes sense right?….
It’s entirely possible that could happen. Women often go quiet when they realize that speaking up will cost him his income which will then cost her her income.
It’s also entirely possible that she said stuff that wasn’t true out of anger for other awful things he did that weren’t relevant to the NHL.
It’s also entirely possible that she is nuts and Kane is the victim of her abuse.
They had a newborn die, it’s hard to imagine how that doesn’t mentally ruin you. Either or both could have had a break from reality and reason.
Ironically, the best thing for Kane would be for the NHL to investigate him even more thoroughly, otherwise this cloud will hang.
If the league doesn’t investigate the sharks have no grounds to terminate his contract.
Sounds like it’s just the writers opinion to me
FIRE DOUG WILSON!!!
The Kane thing is dragging the Sharks down . They don’t need a cancer in the locker room. This isn’t the first drama with him. They need to find a way to move on.
Or as someone else mentioned on this site, keep him and use him to get the bad contracts to waive no move clauses.
I think you should edit out the part where you make the assumption she’s lying if she chooses not to speak to investigators. There are a host of reasons why she may not wish to talk to private investigators – but that doesn’t mean she made it all up.
For instance, if he gets suspended that would impact his earnings and, depending on the divorce, would impact her as well.
I don’t think you need to editorialize that part of the story – that’s conjecture and frankly mirrors the discourse (and stereotypes) of women reporting or not reporting matters to authorities.
Its pretty common in an employment context for people to be suspended pending investigations into allegations. Kane will still get his money. But the NHL cant take the chance he is betting on his own games.
In this case, Kane has made over $50 million in his career, yet just filed bankruptcy with $26 million in debt. He has three houses worth $10 million. Part of the debt is $1.5 million in gambling debt. Lots of the other debts are personal loans. Think about it, why would he need a personal loan from anyone when he is making millions?
Pretty safe guess that he likes to gamble. It changes the perspective of the matter, as its not like these allegations come in relation to someone who has no connection to gambling.
The gambling, the money problems, the significant amount of debt are all warning signs. Nothing is proven but the NHL is right to be careful here.