SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 14: Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane (91) skates on the ice throughout warmups earlier than their recreation in opposition to the San Jose Sharks on the SAP Heart in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE — The sparse crowd that confirmed as much as watch a Valentine’s Day recreation between the Sharks and Oilers had little like to spare for Evander Kane.
A refrain of boos sang anytime the previous Shark bought the puck. Taking part in his seventh recreation with Edmonton since he signed as a free agent there on Jan. 27, Kane’s first time again at SAP Heart for the reason that Sharks terminated his contract was met with hostility.
Kane didn’t rating a purpose or document an help within the Oilers’ 3-0 shutout of the Sharks on Monday night time, however all eyes had been on him. Earlier than Monday’s recreation, Kane stated his return “in all probability issues extra to you guys (the media) than it issues to me,” however his new and former teammates might really feel the strain. They tried to pay no thoughts.
“Clearly, (the followers) form of bought on (Kane) each time he touched the puck,” stated Sharks goaltender James Reimer. “However no, I imply, there’s all the time these little storylines and stuff like that. However for us, this is a vital recreation. It’s a four-point recreation. We’re (seven) factors out of the playoffs right here and we'd like factors.
“So for us, we’re simply centered on attempting to win this recreation and put ourselves able to get into the playoffs. So all the different storylines or whatnot, (Kane’s) first recreation again shortly, had been shifted off to the facet a little bit bit, proper? It was nearly attempting to attempt to scrape and claw and get some factors tonight.”
Tensions bubbled when Kane laid a tough hit on Brent Burns within the first interval and, within the second interval, when Sharks’ defenseman Nicolas Meloche upended Kane to the delight of the group. And whereas the group of an introduced 11,153 stored the boos going, there wasn’t far more stress because the Oilers claimed an early 2-0 lead earlier than the intermission.
“Now we have his again, he’s a part of our staff now,” stated Darnell Nurse, who scored one of many Oilers’ three targets. “Anytime you come again to a spot you simply performed, it may be awkward. However we all the time have his again.”
Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft, a former assistant coach with the Sharks from 2008 to 2015 on Todd McLellan’s workers, spoke with Kane earlier than Monday’s recreation about managing the feelings of his return.
“After I talked to Evander yesterday, he advised me how a lot he needed to get the 2 factors within the financial institution for the Oilers and the way that took precedent over anything,” Woodcroft stated.
Kane is transferring on from his time in San Jose, however most followers watching in San Jose haven’t forgiven Kane for indiscretions that led to the Sharks terminating what remained of his seven-year, $49 million contract on Jan. 8.
Kane’s time in San Jose noticed loads of controversy, together with allegations in 2021 from his former spouse, Anna, that he wager on NHL video games, together with in opposition to the Sharks. She later accused him of bodily and sexual abuse. Kane denied all of the allegations, and the NHL didn't discover adequate proof to rule in opposition to him. In October, Kane confronted allegations of utilizing a faux COVID vaccination card. The league, after investigating, suspended him 21 video games for violating its COVID guidelines.
The 30-year-old led the Sharks final season with 22 targets and 49 factors, however sufficient controversy constructed as much as trigger turmoil between him and his teammates earlier than he was positioned on unconditional waivers.
The NHL Gamers’ Affiliation filed a grievance on Kane’s behalf asserting that the Sharks didn't have adequate grounds to terminate his contract. If the case just isn't settled, it’s is about to go to arbitration. Kane got here again to San Jose with none motion on the case. The unresolved challenge wasn’t on his thoughts, both.
“It’s humorous, the coaches requested me that (Sunday), and I actually haven’t given it a lot thought to it,” Kane stated.
Some followers had been joyful to see Kane, together with sisters Christina Mendoza and Michelle Carrasco, from San Jose. Each had been carrying Kane jerseys and holding indicators for him. One welcoming him again to the Bay Space, the asking Kane to be their Valentine. The pair stated they miss him in San Jose.
The pair stated the drama surrounding Kane didn’t change their love for his recreation.
“We love him both approach,” Carrasco stated. “That’s his private life, and it’s out within the open. He’s a star. We don’t care concerning the private stuff. His hockey is all that issues.”