SJHN Daily: Kane Has Friend in Jumbo, Scores Goal in Oilers Debut

WELCOME GUEST WRITER KAT PITRE! KAT CURRENTLY COVERS THE SAN JOSE SHARKS AT FEAR THE FIN AND HOSTS THE “THIS IS HOCKEY CULTURE” PODCAST. 

Evander Kane has a friend in Joe Thornton.

In Part 2 of TSN’s The Shift’s sit-down interview with Kane, hosted and executively produced by Kayla Grey, the ostracized ex-San Jose Sharks star brought up Jumbo. You can read San Jose Hockey Now’s account of Part 1 here:

Kane Talks Thompson Fight, Surprise That Sharks Wanted to Trade Him

Grey asked Kane if any former teammates had reached out to him to offer support or solidarity though his recent contract termination, alleged COVID violations, troubles with gambling, and more.

“Joe Thornton was the first call I got, so I had a nice chat with him for probably about twenty minutes, and it was nice to hear from a guy like that, and have his support,” said Kane.

Grey then inquired into how important the relationship between him and Thornton has been for him, especially given the circumstances of domestic abuse and sexual assault allegations.

“It’s been huge. I knew Jumbo a little bit off the ice prior to us becoming teammates. From the moment I landed in San Jose, he was obviously the first face I saw. We had a very, very close relationship when we were teammates here in San Jose…he was a guy I was always excited to see everyday, and I think he felt the same way about me.”

Famously, the long-time Shark picked Kane up from the airport in 2018 when the San Jose Sharks acquired the scandal-ridden winger from Buffalo.

Thornton’s career with the Sharks overlapped Kane for parts of three seasons.

Last night, the Sharks faced the 42-year-old Thornton, now with the Florida Panthers, for the first time since he left San Jose in Oct. 2020, losing 5-4 in an OT thriller. Meanwhile, Kane was making his Edmonton Oilers debut, scoring a goal in a 7-2 victory.

.@evanderkane_9’s first goal as an Oiler. 🔥

(🎥: @Sportsnet) pic.twitter.com/5ovozpTyRs

— theScore (@theScore) January 30, 2022

At San Jose Hockey Now…

Thornton Pleased Sharks Winning Again, Talks Kane Phone Call

Why NHL Not Punishing Kane May Not Affect Sharks’ Contract Termination

Kane Addresses Oilers Media, Sharks React

Sharks Face Toughest Weekend of Season

Adin Hill, Painter?

Sommer, Alt on What Barracuda Saw During Racist Hrabik/Imama Incident

In Other Sharks News …

Sharks midseason report cards: Improved defense, goaltending keep San Jose in playoff picture (The Athletic) 

4 takeaways as Sharks win in the Nation’s Capital (The Hockey Writers) 

With an unforgettable night, Sharks defenseman makes his case to stay in the lineup (The Mercury News) 

Deep Blue Sea: Radim Simek is a father (Fear The Fin) 

Dimitri Filipovic on the impact of Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl this season. (Elite Prospects)

Around the NHL…

Montreal Canadiens focus on big data as they revamp analytics department (The Athletic) 

Henrik Lundqvist’s night with the New York Rangers saw trash thrown onto the ice after game-tying goal is called off (Yahoo Sports) 

Sergei Zubov’s number retired by the Dallas Stars in ceremony (NHL) 

Machine Gun Kelly will be perform at the 2022 NHL All-Star game (Loudwire) 

Nathan MacKinnon suffers concussion and facial fracture after open-ice collision with Taylor Hall (Sportsnet) 

Contract talks for Kris Letang and the Pittsburgh Penguins have stalled, serious negotiations hopeful to start soon. 

Talks Delayed, Letang Camp Hopes to Begin Serious Negotiations Soon

Tuukka Rask is out with a lower-body injury following return to Boston Bruins:

Boston Bruins Rask Out With Lower Body Injury

Can Colorado Avalanche fans get excited for a Stanley Cup this season? 

Is The Avalanche’s Wait For A Stanley Cup About To End?

Sam Bennett essential to line-up, is now the Florida Panthers’ goals leader: 

Changes in Latitude: Sam Bennett now Florida Panthers goals leader

What the New York Islanders’ goaltending tandem looks like in light of Islanders’ offensive issues

Difference in Goaltending, How The New York Islanders Should Go About It

Zach Whitecloud, top defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights:

Zach Whitecloud Emerging as a Top-4 Defenseman for the Golden Knights

Philadelphia Flyers struggle late in games, need someone to step up on the ice: 

Flyers crumbling late in games, need someone to step up in key spots

Braden Holtby “forever grateful” to Washington Capitals organization: 

Holtby ‘Forever Grateful,’ Reflects On Capitals As He Faces Them For First Time

Detroit Red Wings without clarity on Veleno, Zadina, and Rasmussen: 

Red Wings Still Have More Questions Than Answers Regarding Veleno, Zadina And Rasmussen | DHN+

Multiple former Vancouver Canucks set to make Olympic appearances:

Former Vancouver Canucks Dot International Olympic Rosters

Calgary Flames’ potential to make big trades this year:

Flames active in NHL trade talk, should go all-in this year

Carey Price skates in full equipment ahead of the Montreal Canadiens’ morning skate: 

Carey Price Skates In Full Equipment Prior To Canadiens Skate