SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks have placed Evander Kane on unconditional waivers with the intent to terminate his contract for what the team said was a breach of his deal and for violating the AHL COVID-19 protocols.
Kane was in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract that he signed with the team in May 2018.
Per CapFriendly, Kane, as a result of the termination, is set to forfeit $22,885,000 in salary. His cap hit of $5.875 million for the remainder of this season, and the following three, are slated to come off the Sharks’ books.
The Sharks did not specify what Kane did to violate the protocols and said they would have no further comment on the matter. The Athletic reported, according to sources, that Kane traveled to his hometown of Vancouver, Canada, while he was in COVID-19 protocol.
Kane was placed in the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Dec. 22.
Per AHL protocols at the time, players who test positive must isolate for 10 days after symptoms first appear. If asymptomatic, a player can continue to be tested daily and would be subject to an early exit from isolation with two consecutive negative PCR tests.
Contacted Saturday morning, Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, did not immediately wish to comment, but the Sharks’ announcement could potentially lead to a grievance process that involves the NHL Players’ Association.
Kane, 30, was suspended 21 games by the NHL on Oct. 18 for an established violation of — and lack of compliance with — the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 protocol, with reports indicating that he submitted a fake vaccination card.
As the suspension was about to end, Kane was placed on waivers by the Sharks on Nov. 28. He was assigned to the Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the next day.
Kane had eight points in five games with the Barracuda. His last game with the team was Dec. 18 in San Diego, where he had a goal and an assist for San Jose in its 4-1 win.
Kane did not play in the Barracuda’s game with the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday. It is not clear if Kane remained in the AHL protocol at that time.
