Evander Kane Living On The Edge

Coming into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, one of the huge names on the board was Evander Kane. Just coming off a 96 point season with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, Kane was a kid on top of the world. A power forward that displays equal parts of grit and hands, he was a wanted commodity among NHL teams. He was drafted #4 overall by the Atlanta Thrashers and the future looked very bright. However, as time has gone on, Kane is being looked at as a player who could eventually end up a bust.

Kane went right to the NHL for the 09-10 season as the struggling Thrashers really needed some help up front. As a rookie he put up 14 goals and 12 assists in 66 games, a very good start for an 18 year old kid coming out of junior hockey. His next season, he faced many minor injuries that kept him out for short spurts, however, he was still able to play in over 70 games and improved his points total to 43 in his sophomore year. His game was on the upswing and Atlanta had much to look forward too. Just a few months later, however, there was no Atlanta Thrashers.

True North Sports and Entertainment purchased the Thrashers during the summer and they were moved up to Winnipeg for the following 11-12 season. Winnipeg, an area thriving for hockey since their loss of the Jets in 1996, was more than thrilled. Fans sold out season tickets in minutes and the second the Jets name was announced, merchandise sales went through the roof, enough to be the top money maker in that area last season. With this new home, a much bigger hockey area, the media became nonexistent in Atlanta to booming in Winnipeg. The players, coaches, and organization as a whole are under way more media fire, normally being more scrutiny than anything else.

Kane, again improving on his stats his first year in Winnipeg, put up 57 points in 74 games, all looking well for the franchise kid. However, since last season ended, Kane has been under a lot of scrutiny. He held out on the Jets all summer for more money on a contract as a restricted free agent. Trade rumors surrounded him and with the season just weeks away when September 1st hit, all eyes were on him. The day the lockout was announced, September 15th, Kane signed a 6 year, 31.5 million dollar contract. To compare that to other NHL'ers, Kane is making John Tavares money, who is becoming a superstar for the Islanders. With the pressure on, Kane had to produce. 

As the lockout continued, the pressure subsided on Kane as there was no hockey and it seemed there would not be for quite some time. Kane signed in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk in the KHL. Little did he know this would be the source of more controversy for him. The coach called him out for being out of shape and after just a few weeks and 12 games, totaling only 1 goal and 47 PIM, Kane was sent home. He said the KHL style didn't fit his play, but being in Winnipeg, the media killed him. Then in November, Kane posted a twitter picture of him with stacks on money in Las Vegas. Once again, he was the face of Winnipeg, in the wrong direction. With many NHL and team employees being laid off or days/hours cut due to the lockout, this did not help Kane's reflection. 

Now, just three days before training camp opens up, Kane is nowhere to be found. With most players already skating "informally" at their training centers, this once again does not look good on Kane. The question remains whether he will come to camp in shape and ready to go with the season just a week away. Kane has made a good name for himself on the ice up until this year, however, some of his actions over the past few months have got him on the radar of the fans and media. He will have the spotlight on him once again this season and he will be expected to produce more than he did last season. With a new six year deal, everyone in Winnipeg is counting on him to be the guy. Will Kane show up and be ready to play? Or will he become the next bust of the NHL? He is the one who will control that. Just know this, the media and fans will be watching.