Despite Evander Kane not having a deal during the offseason, the 35-year-old forward is still making waves in the hockey news. One thing you can always expect from Kane is that the drama never really ends.
Regardless of whether he is on a roster, the Vancouver native has a talent for remaining in the news cycle, and this current chapter may be one of the most amusing thus far.
It all started when Kurtis Gabriel, a former NHL enforcer, chose to discuss his brief experience playing alongside Kane on the San Jose Sharks in a very open manner. In an interview with Sheng Peng, the Sharks beat reporter, on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, Gabriel was completely open and described a teammate who consistently disregarded the team and played by his own standards.
Gabriel Criticizes Kane’s Actions in San Jose
Gabriel focused on one behavior that reportedly infuriated him while playing in 11 games for the Sharks during the 2020–21 season. According to Gabriel, everyone else would be dressed in suits, but Kane would always walk into team meetings late, wearing a tracksuit and flip-flops. It wasn’t a one-time occurrence, either. Gabriel described it as being almost continuous.
Gabriel stated, “Early is on time. You’re always there 15 minutes early.” “Nearly always, when we begin the conference, the door clicks open. Here comes Evander, dressed in his flip-flops and tracksuit, while we’re in suits and ties.”
Kane frequently utilized his size and resilience to intimidate people into silence, according to Gabriel, who also stated that he was not afraid to speak to him about it. However, when someone really resisted him? Kane, according to Gabriel, would simply glance and then leave. He described the behavior as “pure narcissism” and expressed amazement that a player could consistently behave in this way and still retain his position.
To his credit, Gabriel exhibited a measure of sympathy by implying that Kane may have been experiencing internal anguish and behaving accordingly. But this did not change the general message. He referred to Kane as a “typical bully” and stated that a locker room is completely tainted by such a presence.
It should be noted that Gabriel’s account is consistent with the general understanding of Kane’s time in San Jose. Reportedly, the Sharks’ leadership group advocated for Kane’s removal from the team, and in 2022, the organization ultimately ended his contract after he allegedly broke COVID-19 regulations in both the NHL and AHL, including submitting a fraudulent vaccination card. He received a 21-game suspension without pay for that breach.
With a mysterious warning, Kane retaliates.
It took Kane no time to respond after Gabriel’s remarks spread like wildfire. With a response that was both ambiguous and threatening, he went to X on Monday night.
“I’m looking forward to the day I opt to share ‘my truths,'” Wrote Kane. “The sole distinction? Receipts, evidence, and the reality will be included in mine. I will simply say this for the time being: far too many individuals have become overly at ease speaking in public while relying on my quiet. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
He continued by stating that “there are plenty of truth bombs with plenty of names attached” and that “everything will speak for itself when the time is right.”
Kane didn’t mention Gabriel by name, but the link was unmistakable due to the timing. Gabriel himself seemed unaffected, reportedly reaffirming his words and stating that he meant every one of them, and that the meeting account was actually the “lightest” information he could have divulged.
The problem with Kane’s answer is that he didn’t actually refute anything. He never claimed Gabriel was being dishonest about the flip-flops, the general disrespect for team norms, or the late arrivals. Instead, he shifted his focus to hinting at a tell-all that might or might not ever come to pass. It’s like telling “just wait” in hockey without ever following through.
This entire exchange is a baffling strategic step for a man who is now an unsigned free agent attempting to secure a roster position. Yet another public conflict for organizations who may have been unsure about adding Kane to their roster to take into account while making their choices. Kane’s off-ice difficulties are still accumulating, and this most recent back-and-forth isn’t helping him, even though his on-ice talent has never really been a problem.
Although he was moved to Vancouver, Kane had a successful time with the Edmonton Oilers, and by all accounts, he was a good contributor and community member during that period. However, it’s difficult to ignore the pattern of controversy that has trailed him from Winnipeg to Vancouver, Edmonton, and San Jose. It’s unclear if he’ll ever actually present the receipts he swore to.
