Evander Kane appeared before the Edmonton media on Friday morning with a very specific message: he’s not that bad.
Posted at 1:50 p.m.
Understand by this that the former Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabers and San Jose Sharks forward is coming with a new team and also with a certain reputation, and that he himself is very well aware of this certain reputation.
Which does not mean that he agrees with everything that is said about him.
“There were things that happened in certain places,” he explained. Also, there are several players who will play for more than three teams during their career, I am not the only one. But sometimes things just don’t work in one place, so a fresh start is better for both parties. »
This new start became necessary because things weren’t working between him and the Sharks in San Jose, where he hasn’t played a single game this season, having to settle for five games in the American League.
So this new start will be in the jersey of the Oilers, and it will start from Saturday night at the Bell Center, since the Edmonton club will be visiting Montreal to face the Canadian.
The Oilers, who are to be put in the drawer of favorites who fail too often, have therefore chosen to bet everything on this talented attacker, whose bad reputation is undoubtedly not the result of chance.
Over the years, Kane has often embarrassed himself, among other things due to alleged gambling problems. More recently, at the start of the season, he suffered a 21-game suspension for providing false proof of vaccination.
But the Oilers felt the risk was worth it, and they offered him a contract that will last for the rest of the season, at a salary of $750,000.
After cracking a good joke about the weather, Kane insisted he was spoiled for choice, but ended up saying yes to the Oilers because of all that talent spilling over into the locker room in Edmonton.
“There were several teams that were interested in me… But I had to make the best decision possible, and we ended up in Edmonton… it was becoming more and more obvious that it was the best place for me. This team is ready to win and I think we go well together. »
Ken Holland, the Oilers general manager, seemed very proud of his shot.
“We have a good locker room of veterans, a locker room that is strong, and also good leadership, he repeated. Evander is 30 years old and he still has several good seasons ahead of him. There are 43 games left in our season, so it’s important for us and for him. Both parties are motivated. »
Whether this marriage will last remains to be seen.
“I’m going to take responsibility for my mistakes, but I’m not going to take responsibility for the things I didn’t do,” added the new Oilers forward. I see myself as a leader. It’s funny how people see me as a kid who’s going to come here and undo everything. This will not be the case. »