Evander Kane is staying with the Edmonton Oilers on a new four-year contract, he announced in a post on Twitter Tuesday night just hours before the NHL’s free agent market opens.
Kane’s deal has an average annual value of $5.125 million against the salary cap.
Kane totaled 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 games with Edmonton last season, scoring 13 goals in 15 playoff games. He spent most of his time on the wing of star center Connor McDavid.
The Oilers allowed Kane to talk to other teams before the start of the NHL free agency period, while continuing talks with the left winger.
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“We had tons and tons of conversations. We don’t have a lot of cap space,” Edmonton general manager Ken Holland said at last week’s NHL draft.
Kane was expected to be one of the most high-profile scoring forwards available in unrestricted free agency. Multiple reports indicate that Kane is looking for a long-term contract in excess of $7 million per year. Instead, he chose to renew with Edmonton.
In his Twitter post, which featured the theme “I’m back,” Kane thanked the Oilers for giving him the opportunity to “remind people who I am as a player and a person.”
Kane, 30, signed with the Oilers in January after the San Jose Sharks terminated the remainder of his seven-year, $49 million contract for violating COVID-19 protocols while in the American Hockey League. Kane challenged the Sharks’ decision by filing an appeal through the NHL Players’ Association.
“A big part of my decision to stay in Edmonton was because of the opportunity I was given just seven months ago, but also the chance to be part of a championship team,” Kane wrote. “I want to win and I believe that once we sign this deal we will be able to add the right pieces along with me to achieve that goal.”
I’m back. pic.twitter.com/aBAw0dQlNL
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) July 13, 2022
According to PuckPedia, an NHL salary cap and contract tracking site, Kane’s contract includes $11.5 million in bonus money and a no-movement clause through Feb. 28, 2025; after that, it’s a 16-team roster without a trade.
Kane’s grievance with the Sharks complicated his free agent status, as a ruling in his favor could theoretically reinstate his contract with San Jose.
Controversy followed Kane during his 13-year NHL career with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabers and during his four years with the Sharks. At the start of last season, he was investigated by the NHL after being accused by his estranged wife, Anna Cain, of domestic assault and betting on NHL games, including his with San Jose. The NHL said the assault allegations “could not be proven” and found no evidence he had bet on hockey.
Kane was not invited to the Sharks’ pre-season training camp because of the investigations. He was then suspended for 21 games after submitting a false vaccine card to the Sharks and the NHL. Ultimately, Kane did not play in the regular season until the Oilers signed him to a one-year, $2,108,696 contract.
“You have to understand everything that happened in that person’s life. I believe in second chances. It’s hard to be perfect,” Holland said at the time. “We are all human. Some make big mistakes, some make small mistakes. I think if someone makes a mistake in their life, they should try to learn from it and try to change.”
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