MONTREAL — The NHL dropped the hammer on Evander Kane, suspending the Sharks forward for 21 games without pay on Monday for an established violation of — and lack of compliance with — the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 Protocol.
Kane will not be eligible to play prior to the Sharks' Nov. 30 game in New Jersey against the Devils.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the forfeited pay goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Another investigation by the NHL into allegations of domestic abuse made against Kane by his estranged wife, Deanna, could not be substantiated, the league said.
The NHL said it would not offer any further comment.
In a statement made through the NHL Players' Association, Kane apologized to his Sharks teammates and the organization, "and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols. I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future.
"When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey."
Section 18-A of the league's and the NHL Players' Association's Collective Bargaining Agreement deals with off-ice conduct.
The section says whenever NHL commissioner Gary Bettman determines a player has violated an off-ice league rule or has been or is guilty of conduct "that is detrimental to or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey," he may discipline the player in a number of ways.
That includes expelling or suspending the player for a definite or indefinite period, canceling that player's contract, or imposing a fine.
Kane stayed away from the Sharks throughout training camp and now into the regular season as the NHL proceeded with two investigations into the forward's past behavior, including one centered around the possible use of a fake COVID-19 vaccination card.
Another investigation was related to accusations made by his estranged wife when she filed for a restraining order last month.
Deanna Kane at the time leveled accusations of domestic violence and sexual assault against the Sharks player in a restraining order application filed in Santa Clara County Family Court. In August, Evander Kane was granted, in part, a temporary restraining order against Anna after he alleged that she had been violent with him.
The Sharks before the start of the season designated Kane as a non-roster player "pending completion of the NHL's investigation."
For the time being, Kane remains off the Sharks roster, and his contract, which has an average annual value of $7 million, remains off of the team's cap while he is under suspension.
Kane is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract he signed with the Sharks in May 2018. Coming into this season, Kane was still owed $26 million.
The NHL's first investigation into the Sharks winger began this summer after Deanna Kane, in social media posts, alleged that he bet on NHL games, including his own, and was conspiring to throw games.
The league's weeks-long probe, though, found no evidence to corroborate Deanna Kane's accusations, adding in a Sept. 22 news release that, "the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations."
However, in the same statement emailed to NHL media, the league said that additional unrelated claims "involving potential wrongdoing by Mr. Kane" had been brought to their attention.
In the press release published on its website, though, the NHL was more detailed, stating that one "involves serious accusations" related to his past behavior in his marriage, and the other involves "allegations of inappropriate behavior potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of Club members."
Monday's news comes as the Sharks are about to begin a five-game road trip Tuesday in Montreal. The trip continues with games Thursday in Ottawa, Friday in Toronto, Sunday in Boston, and next Tuesday in Nashville.
Kane's suspension is not the longest in Sharks' history.
In Oct. 2015, Raffi Torres was suspended 41 games for interference and an illegal check to the head against Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg.
