Kane placed on waivers by Sharks

The 30-year-old forward was suspended 21 games without pay Oct. 18 for violating NHL COVID-19 protocol. The first game he is eligible to play for the Sharks is at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

If he clears waivers Monday, Kane is expected to join San Jose of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

“I’ve said this before, management’s done a really good job of limiting the distractions from the players and the staff,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said before the Sharks’ 2-0 win at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. “This announcement today is just another example of that. We like what we have in our room, I think we’ve created a pretty good family atmosphere and culture and we’re going to continue to do that.

“This sort of now puts this behind us a little bit. Not that it was a big subject in our room to begin with, but it’s nice we’re moving on and we’re focusing on our jobs.”

Assistant general manager Joe Will said the Sharks have looked at all options since the suspension started and decided “the best thing at this time is for him to continue to play hockey and the best option for that right now is the Barracuda.”

Dan Milstein, Kane’s agent, released a statement on Twitter where he said, “Over the past few weeks, we have been discussing Evander’s return to San Jose. We were not surprised by the Sharks’ decision to put him on waivers and, if he does clear, he will report to the Barracuda. Evander is looking forward to resuming his NHL career this season.”

Will said there is “definitely not a timeline” for Kane to return to the Sharks and a trade is an option.

“Yeah, I think anything’s a possibility,” Will said. “We continue to look at all options.”

After leading the Sharks last season with 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games, Kane did not attend training camp and has not played this season.

Kane was the subject of two investigations prior to the suspension. The NHL announced Oct. 18 allegations of domestic abuse by Kane’s estranged wife, Deanna, could not be substantiated, after announcing Sept. 22 it found no evidence to support allegations he gambled on NHL games or tried to negatively impact Sharks games.

Will said Kane’s teammates were not necessarily consulted about the decision to place Kane on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the AHL.

“That decision is a management decision that we talked about, but we also try and take into account everything we look at — everything from, you know, how the team’s playing at the time, team chemistry,” Will said. “We have a really good thing going in the room right now. … He hasn’t played for quite a while.”

The Sharks (11-9-1) are fifth in the Pacific Division. Kane is in the fourth season of a seven-year contract he signed with San Jose on May 24, 2018.

Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the No. 4 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, Kane has scored 506 points (264 goals, 242 assists) in 769 regular-season games with the Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks, and 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“I’m not planning that we’re going to see him (with the Sharks again) at some point,” Boughner said. “I’m just planning for our group that we have here and moving on and trying to get us in a good spot, at least going into that Christmas break like I keep talking about. Really, it’s not a thought of mine.”