San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Evander Kane's status with Sharks still uncertain as suspension ends

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 11/26/21

The NHL season is only about a quarter of the way finished, but it feels like Evander Kane has been away from the San Jose Sharks for decades.

Now, the embattled winger is about to come off of a 21-game suspension for violating the league's COVID-19 safety protocols. But it still isn't clear when -- or if -- Kane will rejoin the team as head coach Bob Boughner gets the team ready to wrap up a homestand ahead of a five-game road trip that starts this Sunday in Chicago.

Boughner said he wasn't aware of any plans for Evander Kane to join the Sharks on the team's road trip. Sharks leave for Chicago tomorrow morning.
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 26, 2021

The 30-year-old's status with the team has been veiled in secrecy since before the regular season began. Following allegations of domestic abuse and illegally throwing hockey games made by his estranged wife, Anna, Kane has been in the spotlight but reportedly not in contact with any of his teammates.

Kane released an apology via the NHL Players Association following the league's decision to suspend him for breaking COVID protocol but has denied all other wrong-doing. The statement is the only record, as of now, of any contact Kane has made with Team Teal since the end of the last season.

The Vancouver native reportedly started skating on his own at the Sharks' practice facility in San Jose and is not participating in team activities.

The Sharks and Evander Kane are on different schedules. While the team practiced at 11am and was likely all cleared out by 1pm at the latest, he wasn’t scheduled to get to the facility until around 2pm
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) November 23, 2021

The Sharks host the Maple Leafs on Friday before hitting the road. It remains to be seen if the team sheds more light on the Kane situation while the Sharks are traveling.

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