Sports Talk: Evander Kane
By Greg Buchanan
In the matter of the National Hockey League vs. Evander Kane, the latest version in an ongoing series, the signing of the troubled Kane by Holland to Edmonton, or by any other general manager in any other city for that matter, would not represent a second chance for the troubled winger. What chance would it be? Five? Six? Eight? Depends on who is doing the counting.
There have been issues over the years with assault, with off-ice behaviour, with decision making, with the law, with team rules, with teammates, with women, those he was married to and those he was not, with gambling, with lawsuits and with bankruptcy. That’s only slightly brushing the canvas of the challenge Kane brings to whichever team that chooses to sign him. Then there is the possibility that he may face suspension by the league. Sheesh!!!
More than three years ago, a conversation between NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and San Jose general manager Doug Wilson went something like this: “Make this Evander Kane problem go away.”
That was before the bankruptcy became public knowledge, or that Kane might be gambling on sports other than hockey. This came before teammates in San Jose went to Wilson and asked him to move Kane, even though he was the team’s leading scorer.
The new definition of NHL desperation: Anyone who chooses to offer Kane a contract. The Oilers are on that list. The great Connor McDavid, strangely, is on board with all that. And history be damned —all because Kane can score goals.
It’s not as if Kane is some 16-year-old kid who has never interacted with the media and team management prior to doing what he did. He’s 30 years old. He’s a full-grown man. Yet he has never truly had to suffer repercussions for his life choices. He simply moved on, from team-to-team, performing well from an individual perspective, but never being part of a winning team.
There are no more free passes for stars of any sport. If you’re problematic as a citizen, being an elite athlete no longer allows fans, media and teammates to look past your wrongdoings. And in a hockey-crazed city like Edmonton, Kane’s history will not be ignored. If he signs with the Oilers, he’ll be under the biggest microscope of his NHL career. If the Oiler’s slump does not change soon, there will be no playoffs for Connor and crew. That’s not an option so…. you push the panic button and bring in Evander Kane. There’s no doubt he can score goals and hopefully he’ll behave like an adult. If you are an Oiler’s fan, keep your fingers crossed.