Kane to make Oilers debut on Saturday, believes he can provide leadership
Forward, who has yet to play this season, agreed to one-year contract
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"I view myself as a leader," Kane said Friday. "It's funny why people think I'm going to come in and just I'm just some kid on the playground that's going to disrupt everything. That's just not the case. I've had a lot of experience on and off the ice.
"I've been in this league a long time and I try to share those experiences with guys on the team and try to help prevent them from making those same mistakes that I have. So I look at it that I'm an experienced guy coming in. I'm looking to add to the group in a positive way and I'm really excited about the opportunity. I think it's going to be great."
Kane will make his Edmonton debut at the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, CITY, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Though the Oilers have not revealed who his linemates will be, he said the possibility of playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is exciting.
"I don't know if there's a winger in the league that would say they don't fit well on either one of those guys' lines," Kane said. "So for me it would be an easy fit either way, and again, that's part of what makes it so exciting."
Draisaitl has scored 59 points (29 goals, 30 assists), tied with Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers for the NHL lead. McDavid has scored 58 points (21 goals, 37 assists) and is tied for third with Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
Kane has scored at least 20 goals in each of his past six NHL seasons, including 22 in 56 games last season.
"He certainly helps our depth at winger," McDavid said Friday. "You look at our roster. We're deep on the wings. It gives the coaching staff an opportunity to put together some pretty good lines. Kane's a guy who can score. Whoever he plays with, it's a good opportunity for both guys."
Kane was in the fourth season of a seven-year contract he signed with San Jose on May 24, 2018, but did not play for the Sharks this season. He was suspended by the NHL for 21 games on Oct. 18 for violating NHL COVID-19 protocol, cleared waivers and was assigned to San Jose of the American Hockey League on Nov. 29. He scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in five games but hasn't played since entering AHL COVID-19 protocol Dec. 22.
Kane was placed on unconditional waivers by the Sharks on Jan. 8 with the intention of terminating his contract "for breach of his NHL standard player contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols."
While in the AHL, he crossed the border into Canada, which was investigated by the NHL for a possible COVID-19 protocol violation. The NHL announced Thursday that there was insufficient evidence to "conclusively find that Mr. Kane knowingly made misrepresentations regarding his COVID-19 status or test results in connection with his international travel." His agreement with Edmonton was announced a few hours later.
"I'm not really too focused on the past, what happened in San Jose," Kane said. "Right now, today, I'm here. I'm excited to be an Edmonton Oiler. I'm excited to play with two of the best players in the world, this entire group of guys that have obviously worked hard and got themselves into a great position to make the playoffs here. And I'm excited to add to that."
The Oilers (21-16-2) are sixth in the Pacific Division, They have won three in a row after going 0-5-2 and hope Kane's contributions can help them move up.
"We had a really good conversation just like anyone when we're looking to add a piece," McDavid said. "I explained to him that we're a team that is looking to go on a run. If he can come in and add to that any way possible, that's what we're looking for. He was great in acknowledging that there maybe is going to be some backlash and stuff like that. ... For him to come in and reestablish himself in the NHL, and for us to add a player of his caliber, I think it's a good opportunity for both sides."
Oilers general manager Ken Holland said Kane is motivated and eager to capitalize on this fresh start.
"Evander's 30 years old and he's got a lot of hockey left in him, and I think he's at a good time in his life that he's looking for an opportunity here," Holland said. "It's not only the chemistry, I think it's the leadership. … It's an incredible opportunity for Evander and our hockey team. I believe Evander is motivated … he's excited about this opportunity and I'm the same."
Kane said he's looking forward to showing fans he's got plenty to give.
"I would encourage [the fans] to be open-minded, to allow me to do what I do best and get to know me on the ice, off the ice, around the rink, in the community, and see what I bring to the table," he said. "Every city I've been in, I've always worked in the community, done what I can to help make that city and that community a better place, and that's going to be no different here in Edmonton."
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.
"We're looking to add to our forward group," Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. "He's a big, strong player (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and I've watched a lot of video of him. He touches both sides of special teams and is a real competitor in the guts of the game, and those are elements we feel like we need with our team and I think it's going to be a really good situation for him coming in here."
