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NHL Rumors: Sharks want to move on from Kane situation; Kravtsov’s reasons for leaving Rangers; and Dylan Strome trade destinations

Originally posted on The Daily Goal Horn | Last updated 10/19/21

The San Jose Sharks were trying to move Evander Kane in the summer before all the allegations and issues surfaced. According to reports, several of his teammates went to GM Doug Wilson to ask that he be traded.

Not surprisingly, there was no market for a $7 million dollar player with a troubled past.

Now, the NHL has suspended Kane 21 games for violating COVID protocols. San Jose is refusing to comment on any additional discipline beyond that suspension.

NHL Rumors: Sharks done with Kane

After the suspension came down, the Sharks released a statement that read in part: “While we are encouraged by Evander’s commitment to moving forward, we are extremely disappointed by his disregard for the health and safety protocols put in place by the NHL and the NHLPA. We will not be commenting further on Evander’s status prior to the conclusion of the NHL’s mandated suspension.”

On an almost daily basis, local beat reporters have asked about the situation getting no response from the head coach or players. They are simply done with Evander Kane.

So what will the Sharks do next? Trading him is not going to happen as I don’t believe there is a single team interested in acquiring him. He has another three years left on his deal, which leaves the Sharks with one viable option.

A buyout at the end of the year.

Cap Hit Calculations (Per CapFriendly)

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT (SJS)
2022-23	$5,000,000	$7,000,000	$2,000,000	$1,666,667	$3,666,667	$3,333,333	$3,666,667
2023-24	$6,000,000	$7,000,000	$0	$1,666,667	$1,666,667	$4,333,333	$2,666,667
2024-25	$4,000,000	$7,000,000	$2,000,000	$1,666,667	$3,666,667	$2,333,333	$4,666,667
2025-26	$0	$0	$0	$1,666,667	$1,666,667	-$1,666,667	$1,666,667
2026-27	$0	$0	$0	$1,666,667	$1,666,667	-$1,666,667	$1,666,667
2027-28	$0	$0	$0	$1,666,667	$1,666,667	-$1,666,667	$1,666,667
TOTAL	$15,000,000	$21,000,000	$4,000,000	$10,000,000	$14,000,000	$5,000,000	$16,000,002

Why Kravtsov wants out from the Rangers

The Rangers selected Kravtsov, now 21, with the 9th pick overall in the 2018 Draft. In 2019, he failed to make the team out of camp and was unhappy being sent to the Wolf Pack. Kravtsov decided to use the European Out Clause which the team gave him in his contract to return home to Russia.

According to a new report by Arthur Staple in The Athletic, while Kravtsov was saying his goodbyes to teammates, Chris Drury called him out and said he “quit” on the team. At the time Drury was the Wolf Pack’s GM.

Eventually, Kravtsov was demoted in the KHL and that prompted Jeff Gorton to get on the phone to bring Kravtsov back to the AHL. Not only did the kid come back, but Kris Knoblauch publicly stated that he did everything that was asked of him upon his return.

Late in 2020, the pandemic shut the NHL down, and ended the AHL season. Kravtsov was invited to the bubble when hockey resumed, when another incident occurred.

He joined the Rangers in the Toronto bubble for the team’s brief 2020 playoff appearance and there was, again according to multiple sources, an incident between Kravtsov and Drury in which the young forward was dressed down by the then-assistant GM for not working hard enough. That happened on the ice in full view of teammates.
The Athletic

The disconnect between Kravtsov and Drury is now completely out there. So it’s pretty obvious why he’s willing to play in the AHL for any other NHL team, just not the Rangers.

Dylan Strome trade destinations

Two teams are starting to emerge as possible trade destinations for Blackhawks unused center Dylan Strome. The Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers are likely interested in acquiring the 24 year-old.

The Sens lost Colin White during preseason to a long-term injury. Dylan’s brother Ryan is out on COVID protocols for the Rangers, but his absence has exposed how thin the team is up the middle.

Strome, 24, was acquired from the Coyotes back in 2018. He had a promising first season in Chicago with 51 points in 58 games but his production has tapered down.

In a recent column for The Athletic, LeBrun believes the Senators are a great fit. “Ottawa would make sense to me given the Colin White injury,” he writes. “While I do think there might have been some preliminary dialogue between the Senators and Blackhawks during the preseason, I don’t think the Senators are going down that route. But a few other teams have shown some interest.”

This article first appeared on The Daily Goal Horn and was syndicated with permission.

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