Evander Kane settling in well with San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks NHL trade deadline addition Evander Kane is thriving with his new team.
It has only been three games, but Evander Kane is making the San Jose Sharks look like big winners at this year’s trade deadline.
Kane has picked up five points in three games since joining the team. As the regular season comes to an end and the playoff race heats up, San Jose’s offense is getting better at just the right time.
Kane started the year with the Buffalo Sabres, where he picked up 40 points in 61 games. Kane played his best with star center Jack Eichel. Kane had a reputation for being streaky while in Buffalo. As the trade deadline drew close, general manager Jason Botterill had one of the best trade options at the deadline. The Sabres were able to get a conditional first-round pick for Kane. The first-round pick can turn into a second rounder pick if Kane does not re-sign, as well as prospect Danny O’Regan and a fourth-round pick. That’s a favorable price for the Sharks compared to the rest of the market.
The Sharks are in the middle of a major playoff race within the Pacific division. Two points separate the Sharks from second place in the Pacific and out of wild-card position. It will be all-hands-on-deck for San Jose as it tries to make it to the playoffs.
Kane has clicked instantly with Joe Pavelski. Their line has combined for six goals for and no goals against in the last three games.
As the playoffs start, Kane will be an important piece for the Sharks. General manager Doug Wilson was quoted as saying the following:
"[Kane] is a dynamic player who has a unique combination of size, grit, speed and goal-scoring ability. We wanted to add a player that could help this team but also was just hitting his prime. We feel that Evander fits both of those needs and we see this as a great opportunity for him to get to know our group and the city of San Jose."
If Kane can keep scoring points down the stretch and into the playoffs, he will earn himself a big contract in the offseason. Kane is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
San Jose will have a lot of cap space, so keeping Kane will be an option. This is also a fantastic opportunity for Kane to add playoff experience to his résumé.
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Kane started his career with the Atlanta Thrashers, who then relocated to Winnipeg. Kane got traded to Buffalo, where he spent the last three seasons before being moved to San Jose. In all of Kane’s previous stops, he never played in a playoff game.