The Players' Tribune: Evander Kane

[TychoFan]

San Jose | By Evander Kane

Good read as always!

Click to read more...

 

[JackSlater]

I've always liked Kane, so I hope that this new arrangement works out. Seems like a solid fit so far.

 

[Nizdizzle]

The Players Tribunes are always such a good read. Love getting the players perspective like that.

So after every season in Winnipeg, I requested a trade. And each summer, nothing happened.

I don't know why I found that quote surprising, but I did.

 

[Nighthock]

What a jerk.



(yes... this is sarcasm)

 

[KlefDown]

People always hate on him for his personality and his money phone antics but I've always liked him. Good for him. Break the stupid boring hockey player mold Evander.

 

[Riseonfire]

I sort of thought I’d get to San Jose, walk down the streets in shorts every day and nobody would recognize me … but this city isn’t just a Sharks town — it’s a hockey town with a bunch of hockey nuts.

So, JT confirmed not going to SJ. cool.

 

[blundluntman]

Great read. Gives more insight to who he is, considering the media game for players is usually a one way street.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

So, he was excited to go to the Jets, but asked for a trade after literally every season (even the first?) because he "plays to win"?

Uh-huh.

The issues in WPG went well beyond people throwing shade because of Instagram flash, as anybody with an aversion to sticking their heads in the sand understands. Something about ignoring team policy, skipping practice, and assault charges.

 

[MardyBum]

The Players Tribunes are always such a good read. Love getting the players perspective like that.



I don't know why I found that quote surprising, but I did.

Was common knowledge after he was traded, at least here.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

I was really hoping to hear what happened behind the scenes in Byfuglien-tracksuit-showergate

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I was really hoping to hear what happened behind the scenes in Byfuglien-tracksuit-showergate

 

[Weezeric]

It takes an interesting person to complain about not “being wanted” while at the same time admitting to asking for a trade at the end of every season. Who didn’t want whom?

 

[Moskau]

The San Jose stuff is obviously new but everything else he's basically regurgitated in various other interviews. While with Buffalo he said it felt like he "Wasn't wanted around" while in Winnipeg and Atlanta. Now he's saying the same thing about Buffalo. Well Evander, no one in Buffalo had a problem with you until you started choking women at bars. And his teammates didn't seem to have much of a problem with him at all other than the one incident with Falk. In fact he seemed to have a pretty good relationship with most of his teammates. Now suddenly he didn't "feel wanted". He comes off very much like someone who has to make up reasons as to why things didn't work out in relationships to justify the split. Probably why he's gone through so many girlfriends in the past few years and why a few women have taken to social media to call him emotionally abusive.

Just another case of Evander Kane not being what's wrong with Evander Kane.

 

[Revelation]

lol I'm sure Winnipeg fans have a thing or two (or twenty) to say about his take on his time there.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

It takes an interesting person to complain about not “being wanted” while at the same time admitting to asking for a trade at the end of every season. Who didn’t want whom?

There's also the small matter of Kane regularly either directly or indirectly suggesting that race and personality were a big part of his issues, particularly in WPG...both of which ring hollow when you consider how totally the community has embraced Byfuglien, who ended up being the one to figuratively throw Kane out on his ass.

 

[DannyGallivan]

He obviously had massive problems within the dressing room in Winnipeg, and his public issues were always being talked about. Any team in the NHL loved the idea of a fast, 30-goal power forward, which is what the Jets thought they had with Kane. The fact that he didn't last in Winnipeg or Buffalo says a lot about him. He thinks he's bigger than the team. In the NHL, that attitude never works. I think the Sharks will eventually regret their decision.

 

[EpicDing]

Why does hockey culture shun people for embracing the entertainment side of the game? I think it’s an ingrained idea that players who show personality — who show some flair — are somehow selfish or a distraction to their team. I’m not playing the victim card here — I know the repercussions of posting a photo with a stack of money in your hand. But look at the NBA. Look at how that league promotes its players and their individuality. It’s not considered selfish, and it’s not frowned upon.

He isn't wrong.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

35 goal, 60 point season, book it

 

[lomiller1]

lol I'm sure Winnipeg fans have a thing or two (or twenty) to say about his take on his time there.

Not really. Always worked his a** off in games. Lots of rumors he was an a-hole off the ice while he was here but there is nothing illegal about that. Rumors he wasn’t well liked in the locker room, but no way to confirm or refute them.

Contrary to what Kane has suggested previously the team and Winnipeg media always went to bat for him when rumors were making the rounds. Eg, when he was accused of skipping out on restaurant bills the Jets requested Winnipeg Free press reports (at the time) Gary Lawless look into it which he did and reported they were false. Again not just "can’t be confirmed" he reported they were outright false.

 

[Pens x]

I’m rooting for him to continue to succeed.

 

[lomiller1]

He isn't wrong.

FYI the criticism of him with the stack of money was that it happened during the lockout when arena workers were laid off, fans were upset about there being no hockey. Meanwhile he was enjoying himself in Vegas with the big payday he received literally min before the lockout officially started.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Claiming to just want to 'belong' and be 'wanted' while requesting a trade every offseason. Ok Evander.

Nice read though!

 

[Turin]

So, he was excited to go to the Jets, but asked for a trade after literally every season (even the first?) because he "plays to win"?

Uh-huh.

The issues in WPG went well beyond people throwing shade because of Instagram flash, as anybody with an aversion to sticking their heads in the sand understands. Something about ignoring team policy, skipping practice, and assault charges.

People will look for every excuse to confirm their biases, even when presented with evidence to the contrary they will become more steadfast. Kane wasn’t eccentric, in Winnipeg he was loathed by everyone he met in a city that wanted nothing more than to love him.

 

[libertarian]

lol I'm sure Winnipeg fans have a thing or two (or twenty) to say about his take on his time there.

This jet fans says. who cares what Kane has to say. He is water on the bridge that is long gone. Hope he has success in SJ but am still extremely glad he does not play in Winnipeg.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I can read the posts on this board and instantly empathize with how he felt unwanted in Winnipeg. A lot of this feels intensely personal in an unhealthy way to interact with your entertainment mediums.