Sommer Talks Kane’s Barracuda Tenure, Kane Clears Waivers

San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer says he got the call about terminating Evander Kane’s contract the morning of.

“I don’t know what to say about it,” Sommer told San Jose Hockey Now last night. “All I know is I got a call that they were terminating his contract and that’s all I could tell you.”

The San Jose Sharks placed Evander Kane on waivers yesterday with the intention of terminating the remainder of his seven-year, $49 million dollar contract, signed in May 2018.

According to the Sharks, Kane is being terminated for “breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols.”

UPDATED: NHL Supports Sharks’ Attempt to Terminate Kane’s Contract

Kane cleared waivers today and the NHLPA will file a grievance on the winger’s behalf, so this is just the beginning of another wave of Kane drama.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the alleged COVID violation “is a dispute over a flight to Vancouver on Dec. 29, while [Kane was] in the 10-day AHL protocol — whether or not Kane had medical clearance to do it.

“There is also a dispute on his return to the Barracuda. The Sharks allege he was supposed to be back on Dec. 31, and didn’t return until Jan. 6.”

Sommer, however, wasn’t volunteering any information about the San Jose Sharks’ allegations.

“I don’t know anything about it,” the normally loquacious Sommer offered. “Kind of no comment.”

The long-time bench boss, who won his 800th AHL game last night — an all-time league record — was generous with his praise of Evander Kane’s brief Barracuda tenure. Kane made his AHL debut on Dec. 11, and after five games, was placed in COVID protocol on Dec. 22.

“When he came down here, I don’t think he took the league lightly. Some guys come down, and they do. I mean, he had eight points in [five] games,” Sommer said. “He showed up on time for meetings. He showed up on time for practices. That’s all I can tell you that when he was here, he was a good soldier for us.”