NHL Pacific

The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that Evander Kane "is considered a non-roster player pending completion of the NHL's investigation."

Kane, 30, is currently being investigated for two separate matters. He allegedly used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, and his estranged wife accused him of physical and sexual abuse last month, per Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News. 

No criminal charges have been filed against Kane. 

"I have no information for you, I really don't," Sharks head coach Bob Boughner told reporters Sunday when asked about Kane's status with the team. "I'd say no comment because I don't know."

The NHL has not put a timetable on the investigations into Kane. 

"Nothing I can share today," league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic's Sean Gentille and Craig Custance on Monday regarding Kane. "I do expect, obviously, there'll be news vis-a-vis Evander Kane relatively soon. I don't know whether that's [Monday] or whether that's later this week, but that there should be news in the near future, for sure."

Kane was previously cleared by the league on accusations from his wife Anna that he bet on NHL games. The league released the following statement in September:

The investigation uncovered no evidence to corroborate Ms. Kane's accusations that Mr. Kane bet or otherwise participated in gambling on NHL games, and no evidence to corroborate the allegations that Mr. Kane 'threw' games or did not put forward his best effort to help the Sharks win games. To the contrary, the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations. While Mr. Kane denied the accusations, our findings are not based on these denials, but instead on other evidence uncovered during the investigation.

Evander Kane was granted a temporary restraining order against Anna Kane in August, accusing her of being violent in the past. In September, Anna Kane filed for a restraining order against Kane, saying he initially was verbally abusive before she "eventually became his punching bag" during their relationship and that he sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion. 

With the 2021-22 NHL regular season set to begin, TNT hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette joined Bleacher Report for an AMA session Monday.

Bissonnette will move to the broadcast booth this year after six seasons in the NHL as a player. He discussed his upcoming move and memorable moments in his playing career with fans during the Q&A.

The following is the full transcript from the session.

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@BR_OpenIce What are you most excited about bringing to the TNT broadcast panel?

The advice I keep getting, especially from Wayne, is just be yourself. Turner tells us they want us to be ourselves. That was really refreshing. I'm excited to just get in there and let it fly with the guys. Whether it's diving into a serious topic or breaking a video down, it's just gonna be a very good time and a lighthearted feeling to the broadcast. Just having fun and just bringing my silly, goof personality.

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@Jibble How do you feel about the Coyotes making the switch back to the Kachina uniforms? As players, do you guys really care when a team decides to release a new uniform or change their current ones?

I personally did. I know the guys loved when they brought back the Kachinas. I would put Kachinas in the top 5 in the league. The younger guys these days love the new swagger, so I'm sure these guys are really excited about getting the new jerseys. Even last year, when they did the reverse retros. I would say Colorado with the Nordiques logo and the newer colors definitely hit a HR with the fans.

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@NotMitchTrubisky Who was your biggest inspiration as a player?

As soon as I got to Arizona, Shane Doan almost became my second dad. He wasn't overly judgemental but he took me under his wing. For a superstar, or a star in my eyes, to help me on and off the ice, despite all of his responsibilities, was huge. He was such a big component to me growing as a person and a player. It was recently his birthday, so Happy Birthday. I'm sure his wife was happy when he retired so he could spend time with his family, but I know he had such an effect on myself and many others.

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@JTforMVP0 Did you have any pregame rituals?

I wasn't overly superstitious. I had to do the music in the Yotes locker room. Some guys like country, then there are Europeans who like techno. Everybody liked different music, so I was trying to time things so that everybody was able to hear what they liked. My only superstition was keeping everyone happy and light.

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@Foxhole23 Favorite moment of your career?

I didn't score many goals in my career. My mother was sick for a few years and was never able to see me play. Finally, she wasn't sick anymore and the game was close enough in Buffalo. Coach gave me the heads up that I wasn't playing in Toronto, but that I would play in Buffalo. I had a family friend who had season tickets to Buffalo, put my grandparents on the glass and my parents had seats not too far in the lower bowl. I ended up scoring the game-winner. I was able to go up to my grandparents on the glass and kind of give them the knuckles. It just so happens the first game my mother and my grandparents were able to see me play live for the first time, I was able to score the game-winner in Buffalo. That one hit home. I get emotional telling that one sometimes.

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@SantaClaude28 What's the greatest team prank you've been a witness to?

The best pranks were back in the day even before I was involved. One of the guys took this powder they use that when you steal money the ink turns your hands purple. He put it in all the guys' gear and he even put it in his own. When the guys went out for practice, everyone starts noticing they look like Barney the dinosaur with purple hands. The trainer had to get everyone all new equipment because he overdid it on the powder. Everybody's hands were purple for like 5 days. Another time, someone put everyone's house keys in the middle of the room and no one could tell whose keys belonged to who. One last one, Brad May had gotten a brand new BMW and someone took his keys and filled it to the brim with popcorn. His whole car smelled like popcorn and he had to go get it detailed. Nothing compares to the old stories.

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@BJBawkowy Best and worst arenas you've had a chance to play in?

The worst rink as far as the amenities was in Long Island, The Coliseum. The crowd wasn't as popular as it is now because the teams weren't very good in that era.

It's kind of in the middle of nowhere. There's nothing really around the rink, so just a bummer to go to. Then, when you got into the locker room it wasn't very pretty.

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@Nahttodaydeath Could you take Whit in a fight?

Ya. Whit isn't a scrapper. I could definitely take him, but I've never seen his wires crossed truly.

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@46Mac Is there a specific guy who handed your ass to you in a fight?

Ryan Reaves. Hopefully he plays in the opener. I got put out against Reaves and I asked him and he told me 'Hitchcock said no.' I tried to grab him, I missed my reach and he gave me a couple punches then slammed me to the ice. After that, he was doing the championship belt celebration and I was so bitter in the box.

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@Wrage What was your go-to line to chirp to another opponent? Conversely, what's the best chirp that was ever delivered to you?

I was not a great chirper. It was more organic. The most proud I was, I think it was Sergei Gonchar. He whiffed on a breakaway and as he went by I said 'hey, maybe you're a lefty' as I handed out my stick. He was an elite player so he probably was like 'who the hell is this guy.' On my end, people would usually roast my playing time saying I'm usually 'a plug.' Once someone asked if it was my first shift of the game when I was out there, and even the ref started laughing at that.

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@MikeSteveRitter What's the craziest gambling story from your playing days?

The craziest one I heard was a guy going to the casino the night before the playoff game and losing half a million dollars while downing a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. Safe to say, he didn't look like himself out there the next game and they didn't win.

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@Just_In_Time You have to bet your life savings on Charles Barkley or Shaq to beat Vasilevskiy on a breakaway. Who are you taking and why?

I have a hard time putting my money on Chuck. I hope he doesn't hear this. I would have to go with Shaq. I don't want to base it off his golf swing, but I've seen him play other sports and I just have to go with Shaq. I think I could stop Chuck on a breakaway in goalie gear.  Maybe we could get him in studio, and I could get the pads on. His knees don't look the same so if we're doing it on skates I don't know if he could make it down to the goal line.

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@JFranson18 What's your go-to pick up line?

I was never a pick-up line. I would just go up to someone and introduce myself. I couldn't even tell you a pick-up line.

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Rapid Fire

@Kardos29 Best goal horn?

If you're a home team, probably Anaheim. And it's annoying. It has that tug-boat feel.

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@Garrettelliott02 Favorite restaurant in Scottsdale?

There is a place called Cafe Monarch and I think it's one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It's a hidden gem. I've lived here since 2009.

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@Hrennagade Ovechkin and Marchand fight. Who wins?

Ovi is a bear. I couldn't see any planet where Marchand beats Ovi in a fight. You saw when Svech bit off more than he could chew. I don't even know if I would fight him. He weighs 240 and is built like a beast.

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@NotMookieBetts Favorite teammate you played with?

Keith Yandle, easily the most entertaining guy. Especially for a guy who had to log minutes. He was always messing around. He was also one of the most superstitious people I've ever seen. He had a certain way of stretching his socks out. He had special way of stepping on the mats. It was a nuts-o scene.

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@foxhole23 Who wins the cup this year?

Colorado and Florida in the Final. It would be good for the league. I like new markets.

The NHL is looking into whether San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, according to Front Office Sports' A.J. Perez.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet originally reported Sept. 28 that Kane was the subject of an inquiry into a potential violation of the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Neither the Sharks nor the NHL provided a statement to Perez about the allegation.

While NHL players aren't required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, they aren't exempt from Canada's travel restrictions. The league's protocols outline how unvaccinated players could be denied entry or subject to quarantine periods when traveling to the country.

Beyond any consequences Kane might face from the NHL, Perez noted purchasing or using a fake COVID-19 vaccination card is punishable by up to five years in prison in the United States. Using one while attempting to enter Canada carries a fine of up to $750,000 and as much as a six-month prison sentence.

Kane had already been the subject of an NHL investigation.

On Sept. 22, league officials cleared the 30-year-old after his estranged wife, Anna, said he had bet on Sharks games and intentionally threw games for gambling purposes.

Per Perez, Anna Kane also filed court documents alleging sexual assault and domestic abuse. Kane's attorney told Perez the winger "denies ever abusing Ms. Kane or their daughter Kensington, whom he cherishes."

Bay Area News Group's Curtis Pashelka noted the league appeared to have amended the wording of its initial statement regarding the results of its gambling investigation.

Did the NHL edit its initial news release about E. Kane when it cleared him of gambling allegations? You tell me.
The first photo is of the last 3 paragraphs of the email that was sent out at 3:34 p.m. (PT) on Sept 22. The second is of the news release as it now reads online pic.twitter.com/VPEacizMai

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 28, 2021

The first alluded to "unrelated allegations ... involving potential wrongdoing by Mr. Kane." The second outlined "serious accusations relating to his past behavior toward Ms. Kane" and "allegations of inappropriate behavior potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of Club members."

In the wake of the allegations of abuse against Kane, the Sharks said on Sept. 22 he wouldn't attend training camp "until further notice."

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner wants to see changes in the NHL that will "protect the younger players," as he said in his press conference Tuesday.

The 30-year-old made headlines in recent days after claiming on Twitter that teams have supplied players with sleeping and anxiety drugs:

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444478978937417729

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444480611620589568

He specifically called out Alain Vigneault in the tweets, later clarifying to ESPN's Emily Kaplan that the Philadelphia Flyers coach treats his players in an "unacceptable" way.

Vigneault has since declared the claims to be "completely false."

Lehner met with the NHL and NHLPA to help create positive changes within the league and was encouraged by his meetings.

"They're listening," he said of the organizations, per Kaplan.

"The last 72 hours have been incredibly difficult but also incredibly valuable to me, to my career, my life goals," Lehner said Tuesday.

The Swedish-born goalie is heading into his 12th year in the NHL, spending time with five different organizations. He shared the Jennings Trophy with teammate Marc-Andre Fleury last season, his second time in three years winning the award. 

In 2019, Lehner won the Masterton Trophy given to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." 

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said Monday allegations by Vegas Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner that the team pushed for players to receive nonprescription medication are "completely false."

Lehner, who used his Twitter feed over the weekend to focus on NHL player safety amid concerns about the Buffalo Sabres' treatment of Jack Eichel, called out Vigneault on Saturday:

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444478979931459584

Here's the Flyers coach's full response:

AV responds to Lehner’s accusations. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/8NIF7356lR

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) October 4, 2021

Part 2: AV responds to Lehner charges. #Flyers #NHL pic.twitter.com/Y734cvELUo

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) October 4, 2021

Lehner clarified he wasn't accusing Vigneault of distributing pills to players but was discussing the coach's methods in terms of how he treats players, which he believes are "unacceptable," per Emily Kaplan of ESPN.

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher released a statement Sunday in response to the allegations.

"The health and well-being of our players is our top priority, and any care provided to them comes from the team's health care professionals, not the coaching staff," Fletcher said. "We have no reason to believe any of our players have received improper care."

Meanwhile, Lehner highlighted what he believes was improper care from the Sabres' training staff while he dealt with an ankle injury during the 2015-16 season:

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444348543330828290

His concerns come as Buffalo and Eichel remain in an extended standoff about the type of treatment the star center should receive to overcome a neck injury suffered last season.

The Sabres prefer a traditional disk fusion, while Eichel's camp wants him to receive artificial disk replacement surgery they believe will provide more long-term health benefits. The team is hesitant because that procedure has never been performed on an NHL player.

Buffalo's efforts to trade the three-time All-Star have been unsuccessful amid the medical uncertainty, and Eichel was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the 2021-22 season as he remains without a timetable to return.

Lehner called on the NHL Players' Association to do more on Eichel's behalf:

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444038822426152960

The Sabres open the new season Oct. 14 when they host the Montreal Canadiens, while the Flyers begin play Oct. 15 at home against the Vancouver Canucks.

Edmonton Oilers winger Josh Archibald is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with myocarditis.

Head coach Dave Tippett told reporters Archibald had tested positive for COVID-19 over the summer.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that found an increased rate of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, in patients who had COVID-19.

The condition can be serious, even for a professional athlete in the prime of his career. Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez missed the entire 2020 MLB season after being diagnosed with the ailment.

Rodriguez told the New York Times' James Wagner he initially couldn't hold down any food and lost 20 pounds in 10 days. Doctors also advised him to avoid any physical activity for three months so as to keep his heart rate down.

Oilers goaltender Alex Stalock told The Athletic's Michael Russo he was diagnosed with myocarditis last fall. General manager Ken Holland said the team is expected to be without Stalock for the entirety of the upcoming campaign.

Archibald signed with the Oilers ahead of the 2019-20 season. In two years with the team, he has 19 goals and 15 assists in 114 appearances.

Holland said in September the 28-year-old was the only member of the active roster who wasn't vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The Oilers are five games into their preseason and host the Calgary Flames on Monday. They drop the puck on the regular season Oct. 13 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner has accused an NHL team of giving out benzodiazepines and Ambien to players.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Lehner explained that he knows "many other teams" and has played for some teams that have given out the prescription drugs.

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444478978937417729

Lehner did say that Vegas is not among the teams he's played for that give out benzodiazepines and Ambien. He did call out the Philadelphia Flyers and head coach Alain Vigneault in a follow-up post:

https://twitter.com/RobinLehner/status/1444478979931459584

Lehner also tweeted he will "be releasing a story and proof from my self, ex players and current players on what is going on" each day starting Sunday if "things don’t get fixed."

No one with the Golden Knights, Flyers, NHL or NHL Players Association has yet responded to Lehner's claims.

A second-round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2009, Lehner is entering his 12th season in the NHL. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Senators.

Lehner has played with five different teams in the NHL. The 30-year-old spent the first five years of his career with the Senators. He has also suited up for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks.

Vegas acquired Lehner from the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 2020. He started 19 games during the 2020-21 season for the Golden Knights.

Quinn Hughes and the Vancouver Canucks have reportedly agreed to a six-year contract that will pay the defenseman "slightly above $7.75 million" per season, according to Satiar Shah of Sportsnet. 

That follows a report from Thomas Drance of The Athletic that Hughes and the Canucks were making progress in contract negotiations:

Sources indicate to @TheAthletic that the #Canucks and CAA made progress this morning in Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes talks.

Don’t call it a breakthrough (yet), but there’s optimism that Vancouver and their two cornerstone players are inching toward a resolution at last.

— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) September 30, 2021

Hughes, 21, appeared in 56 games for the Canucks in the 2020-21 season, posting three goals and 38 assists while averaging 22 minutes and 48 minutes of average ice time. He was minus-24 for the year. 

His eight goals and 45 assists in the 2019-20 season made it clear Hughes was going to be a franchise cornerstone for Vancouver going forward, even if he appeared to take a slight step backwards this past year. 

Nonetheless, the long-term plan in Vancouver should be to build around Hughes and 22-year-old center Elias Pettersson, also negotiating his second contract with the team. Pettersson, the 2018-19 Calder Trophy winner, has posted 65 goals and 88 assists in 165 career games, nearly a point per contest. 

Further to our reporting on Insider Trading. Things continue to heat up in Vancouver in negotiations on Pettersson and Hughes.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 30, 2021

Sides continue to hammer away on deals for Pettersson and Hughes. Hearing new contracts for Canucks could come as soon as tonight.

— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) October 1, 2021

Getting these deals done would be a nice positive for a Canucks team in a state of flux. It's unclear if Travis Hamonic will play this season. Brock Boeser, Tyler Motte and Brandon Sutter are injured. Add in Hughes and Pettersson being away from the team, and the Canucks have entered the preseason with a depleted roster. 

"I'm pretty off the grid social-media wise, so you guys will probably know before me," Canucks winger J.T. Miller said of Hughes and Pettersson's negotiations. "We're getting closer and closer (to the season) and I'm sure that the anticipation and pressure for them is... through the roof. I'm staying out it; they don't need my help. I think they all know that we want them here and need them. But this is a big part of their future, a big part of their lives, and big decisions are being made."

The NHL's strict game-day dress code has long been a sticking point among players. Now it seems the Arizona Coyotes plan to separate themselves from the pack.

According to ESPN, in a survey of all 32 teams, the Coyotes were the only team to reveal they intend to fully relax their dress code for the 2021-22 season.

According to the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, "Players are required to wear jackets, ties and dress pants to all Club games and while traveling to and from such games unless otherwise specified by the Head Coach or General Manager."

Players were allowed to dress however they wanted for games during the 2020 playoff bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton. Despite the players enjoying the freedom to wear whatever they wanted, the league chose to return to enforcing the CBA policy in 2020-21.

The Coyotes began to loosen restrictions on their dress code last season. Chief brand officer Alex Meruelo Jr. approached former team captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson with the idea to relax the dress code for home games, and Ekman-Larsson was more than open to it.

"To be the first team to go no dress code was awesome," Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun told ESPN. "The guys loved it. I think it's great to be able to show a bit of your personality and your closet other than just your suits. I had fun with it. I enjoyed it. I'm glad it's something we'll continue to do."

The NBA and NFL allow their players to show off their personalities with their outfits before games. Some players are hoping the NHL will ease its rules so they can follow the lead of the Coyotes. 

"I wish there was no dress code for games and stuff," Toronto Maple Leafs star Matthews told ESPN. "I don't mind wearing a suit, but it gets old, I guess. It gets old pretty quick. I think it'd be fun to wear different things and be able to express yourself, similar to what the NBA does or even the NFL a little bit."

The 2021-22 NHL season is set to begin on October 12.