The NHL Players’ Association has filed a grievance against the San Jose Sharks for terminating the remainder of Evander Kane’s contract. The grievance contends that the Sharks did not have sufficient grounds to make the move.  The Sharks placed Kane on unconditional waivers on Saturday, saying the forward violated COVID-19 protocols while with the AHL Barracuda. Kane went unclaimed over the 24-hour period, putting the Sharks in position to terminate the remainder of the player’s contract.

The move will cost Kane about $22.9 million from the seven-year, $49 million deal he signed in May 2018. Kane is now a free agent and open to sign with any team, while awaiting the start of the grievance process.

The decision to terminate Kane’s contract comes after he faced accusations of gambling on games, purposely losing games he bet on, as well as sexual and physical abuse accusations from estranged wife, Anna. The NHL investigated and found no evidence to support those allegations, but did suspend Kane for 21 games for submitting a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. When the suspension was lifted at the end of November, the Sharks placed Kane on waivers and sent him to the AHL when he was unclaimed.

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