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

The San Jose Sharks have put Evander Kane on unconditional waivers to terminate his deal.

This was first reported by Elliotte Friedman.

Evander Kane is on unconditional waivers to terminate his deal.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 8, 2022

The San Jose Sharks issued this statement:

Per Sharks: "The San Jose Sharks have informed Evander Kane that he has been placed on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract for breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 8, 2022

In short, this is not a mutual contract termination — this is the Sharks trying to rid themselves entirely of Kane and his contract (and his cap hit) without Kane’s consent.

An example of a mutual contract termination is when Joel Kellman recently asked out his NHL contract to return to play in Sweden. The San Jose Sharks agreed and Kellman’s NHL contract completely left the books.

This is not that — this is probably going to get ugly. If the San Jose Sharks are successful, this would mean the entirety of Kane’s remaining four years and $28 million dollars left on his contract would be off the books.

For what it’s worth, the NHL is in support of the Sharks:

Bill Daly, on NHL's position on #SJSharks terminating Kane's contract: "I can say we are satisfied that they have adequate grounds to terminate."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 8, 2022

The ball is in the NHLPA and Kane’s court — and they will fight this:

We are aware of the San Jose Sharks’ stated intent to terminate Evander Kane’s contract. The NHLPA intends to challenge any such action by filing a grievance.

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 8, 2022

We are aware of the Sharks’ decision to put Evander on waivers for contract termination. If he clears, we will file a grievance. The Sharks do not have sufficient grounds for taking this action. #WeAreGoldStar!

— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) January 8, 2022

On Dec. 22, Evander Kane was placed in COVID protocol by the San Jose Barracuda. San Jose Hockey Now reported then that he was symptomatic. Two weeks later, a source told SJHN that Kane was still recovering from COVID.

Per The Athletic, Kane’s “contract termination stems primarily from him traveling to Vancouver while COVID positive.”

Friedman added: “According to several sources, there is a dispute over a flight to Vancouver on Dec. 29, while 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.”

Kane hasn’t been in the Cuda line-up since Dec. 18.

Yesterday, I asked San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer when Kane would return to the line-up:

Sommer, on when Kane will play for the Barracuda again: "I don't know. I haven't heard. It's kind of out of my hands. I don't know when he's gonna be back."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 8, 2022

In late November, Evander Kane stated that he was fully vaccinated. The San Jose Sharks star was suspended by the NHL for 21 games at the beginning of the 2021-22 season for an unspecified COVID protocol violation. Allegedly, Kane tried to submit a fake vaccination card to the NHL over the summer.

🚨EMERGENCY EPISODE🚨

🦈Will Kane go down without a fight?
🦈How does this compare to the Mike Richards settlement?
🦈Is this the end or just a new chapter in the Evander Kane saga?

🎧 –> https://t.co/Due4KGkwZZ#SJSharks | #THPN | #DraftKings – Promo Code THPN pic.twitter.com/ii6biW5vdr

— San Jose Hockey Now Podcast (@sjhockeynowpod) January 8, 2022