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Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane celebrates a goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 22, 2022. Photo by Cody McLachlan/Getty Images
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Just before midnight Edmonton time, Evander Kane broke the news all by himself…with this tweet:
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-“I’m back”.
The post was confirmed by his agent Dan Milstein of Gold Star a short time later.
The 30-year-old left wing remains in Edmonton on a four-year, $22 million contract. That’s right, a key member of the Oilers team that reached the Western Conference Finals last summer is secured. And just 12 hours before that, he would be testing the Free Agency market. Late on Tuesday, word was out that talks had resumed between the two camps, but with that came precious little detail.
Now we know more…
Oilers general manager Ken Holland has made no secret of his hopes of bringing back the strong, skilled power forward. But just a day or two ago, Hollande admitted that the two sides were nowhere near a deal. Reports were that the Oilers had offered 3 years in the “mid $4 million” range, then that Edmonton was considering adding another year to that. Well, clearly some more talking happened in the hours and days since, because here we are.
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The deal is for 4 years, with an AAV of $5.125 million.
Year 1 – $750k base, $5.5m signing bonus Year 2 – $1.5m base, $4.0 signing bonus Year 3 – $2.75m base, $2.0m signing bonus Year 4 – $4.0m base
It includes a no-transfer clause until February 28, 2025. After that, a 16-team trade list will be submitted until the contract is completed.
According to PuckPedia, with the signing of Kane, the Oilers now have $9.1 million in Cap Space with 15 players on the projected roster. Add to that the projected LTIR amounts of $4.167M for Oscar Klefbom and $2.2M for Mike Smith, and the number effectively rises to $15.5M.
A brief editorial from this reporter: I think this leans ever so slightly toward seeming like a hometown discount. That’s a very reasonable dollar figure considering what was rumored to be there and in light of the $7 million cap hit his contract was running in San Jose before coming to Edmonton. Also, please refer specifically to the 3rd part of Kane’s quote below…
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Quotes from Evander Kane:
-“In the last 12 months, there have been many road blocks, tons of adversity and many difficult days. I am grateful for the tremendous support from family, friends, teammates and others who have helped me stay strong during these difficult times.”
-“I want to thank the Edmonton Oilers for giving me the opportunity to REMIND people of who I am as a player and as a person. I also want to thank my friend Mara, she has been my rock for the last 12 months and I am grateful to have her by my side”.
-“A big part of my decision to stay in Edmonton was because of the opportunity I was given just 7 months ago, but also the chance to be part of a championship team. I want to win and I believe that after signing this deal we will be able to add the right pieces together with me to achieve that goal, a championship. See you in the fall.”
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The only item that appears to still be unresolved is the complaint filed between Kane and the San Jose Sharks. Kane’s edition does not mention this directly. Perhaps the morning will bring more clarity on the matter.
After joining the Oilers, Evander Kane played in 43 regular season games, going 22-17-39 with 60 PIM. In the playoffs, Kane caught fire, going 13-4-17 in 15 games with 37 PIM. Kane often flanked Connor McDavid, was on the 2nd Power Play unit, and was very effective as the last member of the PK team. In 812 NHL regular season games, Kane is 286-259-545 with 1,048 PIM.
It also has to be said: Oil Country’s re-signing of Evander Kane is especially poignant given that just hours earlier it was announced that Flames star Johnny Gaudreau would not return to Calgary and instead test out the free agent market. And as my Cult of Hockey colleague Bruce McCurdy points out, some pundits expected that if Gaudreau were to leave, the Flames might pursue Kane.
Not now.
Find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins
Recently in The Cult…
STAPLES: Keith retires, but Kulak tests the free market
McCURDY: Oilers reach decisions on 7 pending RFAs
LEAVINS: Will it be one step forward or one step back?
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