San Jose Sharks

Evander Kane is returning to the NHL three weeks after the San Jose Sharks placed him on unconditional waivers. 

Kane agreed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, agent Dan Milstein announced.

The Athletic's Corey Masisak and TSN's Darren Dreger previously reported a deal was in the works.

The NHL announced on Thursday that Kane won't be subject to further discipline after being unable to find "conclusively find that Mr. Kane knowingly made misrepresentations regarding his COVID-19 status or test results in connection with his international travel."

The league previously announced on Oct. 18 that Kane was suspended for 21 games without pay for violating the agreed-upon COVID-19 protocols by the league and NHL Players Association. 

The punishment came after A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported Kane was being investigated amid allegations he submitted a fake vaccine card to the NHL. 

The Sharks assigned Kane to their American Hockey League affiliate on Nov. 30 after his suspension ended. He was placed in the AHL's COVID protocols on Dec. 22. 

San Jose announced on Jan. 8 Kane was placed on unconditional waivers with the intention of terminating his contract. 

Per Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, the Sharks decision to waive Kane stemmed "primarily" from him allegedly taking an unauthorized trip to Vancouver in late December while in COVID-19 protocols after testing positive.

The NHLPA did file a grievance on Kane's behalf amid the Sharks' decision to terminate his contract. 

Kane's agent, Dan Milstein, tweeted on Jan. 8 the Sharks did "not have sufficient grounds for taking this action."

Kane has played 12 seasons in the NHL. He was the No. 4 overall pick by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009. The Vancouver native has played for the Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks. 

The Oilers are currently sixth in the Pacific Division standings with 42 points.     

San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik has been suspended 30 games after making a racist gesture toward Tucson Roadrunners forward Boko Imama, who is Black, during a Jan. 12 game, the AHL announced Friday. 

According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, Hrabik imitated the movement of a monkey in a taunt toward Imama. Players on the Roadrunners bench noticed the gesture, and he was eventually confronted by Tucson's Travis Barron. 

The AHL was made aware of the incident on Jan. 13 and began investigating. At that point, Hrabik was barred from all team activities. He has already served three games of his 30-game suspension. 

AHL President and CEO Scott Howson released the following statement:

The AHL stands with Boko Imama. It is unfair that any player should be subjected to comments or gestures based on their race; they should be judged only on their ability to perform as a player on the ice, as a teammate in the locker room and as a member of their community.

Hrabik released a statement on Friday evening. He said he would not be appealing the suspension and that he is "embarrassed" by his actions. 

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1484698516530221060

Imama also released a statement, saying the situation is "frustrating and disheartening" and hopes people learn from it. 

Enough is enough! pic.twitter.com/bETzUXEPGo

— Boko Imama (@bokojr) January 22, 2022

As part of his suspension, Hrabik is being given the opportunity to work with the NHL's Player Inclusion Committee to participate in education and training on racism and inclusion. He will be allowed to apply for reinstatement to the AHL after missing 21 games. The league's decision will be "based on an evaluation of his progress in the necessary education and training" with the Player Inclusion Committee.

The Barracuda and the San Jose Sharks, the team's NHL affiliate, also released a joint statement Friday:

Statement from the San Jose Barracuda and San Jose Sharks Organizations pic.twitter.com/0lYaLuDbUl

— x - SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) January 21, 2022

This marks the second time a player has been suspended for making a racist gesture toward Imama. Former Bakersfield Condors defenseman Brandon Manning was suspended five games in 2020 after using a racial slur toward Imama. 

Imama was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015. He spent four years with the Los Angeles Kings from 2017-21 before signing with the Roadrunners last summer. 

It's been a wild week in the NHL with the Evander Kane situation changing seemingly by the hour. Let's review.

- The San Jose Sharks announced on Jan. 8 that they had placed the 30-year-old winger on unconditional waivers for his second violation of COVID-19 protocols this season as a member of the club's AHL affiliate, the Barracuda. His contract was officially terminated on Jan. 9. Kane was originally suspended in October for reportedly using a fake vaccine card.

- The NHLPA immediately stated its intention that it would file a grievance on Kane's behalf, challenging the Sharks' decision to terminate Kane's contract.

We are aware of the San Jose Sharks’ stated intent to terminate Evander Kane’s contract. The NHLPA intends to challenge any such action by filing a grievance.

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 8, 2022

- According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman on Jan. 11, the Edmonton Oilers were in serious contention to sign Kane as an unrestricted free agent.

- When asked directly about signing Kane, Oilers general manager Ken Holland said, "I believe in second chances." Oilers captain Connor McDavid was also open to having him join in Edmonton.

- On Jan. 12, Friedman reported that Kane was under league investigation for the process of crossing the U.S.-Canadian border in December. The investigation would likely delay any team from signing Kane in the near term.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1481320054788694017

So where does this leave Kane and Sharks? How did we get into this situation in the first place? And what will happen next? 

Let's take a closer look at the entire situation.

Why was a former 30-goal scorer in the prime of his career playing in the AHL in the first place?

After being suspended in October for reportedly having a fake vaccine card, Kane was playing in the AHL for the first time in his career as the Sharks sought a trade partner that never materialized. Kane had worn out his welcome in the Sharks locker room, with several teammates saying they didn't want him back for the 2021-22 campaign.

Trading him also would have required them to retain much of his $7 million yearly salary, since Kane is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract. His time in the AHL wasn't without controversy either, as the club questioned his commitment to the Barracuda after he missed practices with what he called a sore shoulder and food poisoning, according to The Athletic. 

What caused the Sharks to release Kane?

The Sharks said they terminated Kane's contract "for breach of his NHL standard player contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols. It's important to note that the club probably could not have terminated his contract had the league not agreed that there was a breach of contract terms. 

The NHLPA did not see the situation the same way, but that was to be expected. 

Just a few months after being named the Sharks' player of the year, the team decided it was better off without the distraction, even if that meant losing his prolific offensive production. 

Has Kane been involved in other troubling incidents?

Kane has long had a history of on- and off-ice issues that range from clashes with his own teammates to conflicts with officials to arrests. 

The fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, Kane was sued for assault damages in 2014 as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. He was scratched after an incident with his teammates. He publicly stated that he felt the team didn't have his back and traded away its problem.

In July 2016 as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, he was sued by a 21-year-old woman who claimed he invited her to a party in the Buffalo hotel room where he was living and attacked her. Later that month he was arrested after allegedly harassing three women at a Buffalo bar. He was later cleared of all charges.

Kane has also missed practices—once to go to the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto—he was scratched for violating the Jets' dress code, he's been late to practices, and teammates and coaches have found him to be unaccountable. Former Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Kane's involvement in highly publicized incidents like bar fights brought negative attention to the organization. 

Last year, his estranged wife, Anna Kane, posted a series of Instagram stories accusing her husband of domestic abuse, gambling on NHL games and even throwing games. While Kane does have a history of gambling, as is evidenced by his bankruptcy that stemmed from gambling debts, the league cleared him of any wrongdoing, and he and his wife dropped their domestic violence restraining orders against one another

Who is interested in signing Kane?

Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com reported on Jan. 12 that as many as 16 teams have shown interest in Kane. The Oilers appeared to be the most interested in him. However, there is a chance that Kane probably would not be able to help a team in need of him for a playoff push.

Kane and his agent, Dan Milstein, were interviewing with teams before deputy commissioner Bill Daly sent out a memo saying the league was opening an investigation into his cross-border travel. 

The Canadian government does not allow people to board a "public flight" within 15 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test. Failure to comply with the Canadian federal Quarantine Act could result in "fines, imprisonment or both." Kane allegedly tested positive on Dec. 21 and traveled on Dec. 29.

Aside from the legal ramifications, Kane could be subjected to disciplinary action by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, which could mean that any team that signs him wouldn't be able to use him right away. Kane was already suspended for 21 games for the first COVID-19 infraction, so if he's suspended again it could be in the range of 30-40 games, which would bring him right about to the start of the postseason. 

Why do so many teams seem willing to sign Kane?

Kane is capable of scoring 20-30 goals per season, and scorers like that will always be coveted. There is no question Kane is a talented winger who could boost the offensive production of any lineup. 

Financially, it's a low-risk move since a team could negotiate a short-term contract. 

Should a team still sign him? 

McDavid seemed somewhat noncommittal when asked about the situation Wednesday night. 

"I'm not really here to discuss optic issues," he said. "If fans don't like it or the media doesn't like it, I think, whatever. It is what it is. There are a lot of things that go on on the ice that fans don't like and we don't necessarily have to discuss those up here with you guys.

"The public opinion is something that matters a lot, but we're here to try and win games and put a good team on the ice."

McDavid and his teammate, Leon Draisaitl, badly need help. The team has shown a remarkable inability to produce offense without those two on the ice, and goaltenders Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have struggled. The roster has had several COVID-19-related absences and the team is right up against the cap, so Kane would be a way to bring in offense for cheap. 

If the captain says it's not a big deal, then the rest of the locker room will have to take the same approach, at least publicly. But privately, it's a different story. 

There will always be players who place a high value on team chemistry and accountability. There will always be young, impressionable players on their entry-level contracts because this is a salary-cap league. Can the Oilers afford to keep Kane around emerging young defenseman Evan Bouchard? Can any team afford to have a player known for being late or skipping practices around its top prospects? 

It's possible that Kane is, in fact, a better teammate than we are seeing on Twitter. Along with Akim Aliu, Kane was a co-founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. However, he took a "voluntary leave" from the organization in August after Anna Kane's allegations became public. 

But one could also argue that continually putting organizations in positions to defend his actions and leaving teams short-handed because of things like suspensions makes him a poor teammate. 

There are some executives who have decided against signing Kane, even at a fraction of the cost. But if a team is that desperate for offensive production and it feels as though it has the structure and leadership to keep him on track, or that a playoff run would motivate him, then it may think otherwise. 

It all depends on the outcome of the league's investigation and then what an independent arbitrator decides regarding his contract with the Sharks. For now, everything is on hold, which adds yet another layer to an already complicated situation. 

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane was reportedly granted a temporary restraining order against his estranged wife, Anna.

TMZ Sports reported that Kane said in court documents he was "afraid" Anna might hurt him, his girlfriend Mara Teigen and his daughter after she posted a video on her Instagram account that showed the hockey player holding a gun.

Anna said the weapon was loaded and that Kane pointed it at her, but he said it was not loaded and was just being used in a photo shoot of the couple, who were married in 2018. Anna since filed for divorce in July.

Kane is also seeking an order to keep Anna at least 300 yards away from him for three years, and the hearing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2022.

This comes after A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported in September that Anna made allegations of sexual assault and domestic battery against Kane in court filings. Kane denied the allegations through his attorney.

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski noted the NHL investigated the situation and determined the allegations "could not be substantiated." The league also investigated Anna's claims that Kane gambled on NHL games and did not find any evidence he did.

Still, the NHL suspended Kane 21 games in October for violating the league's COVID-19 protocol. Perez reported Kane submitted a fake vaccination card.

The 30-year-old has not appeared in an NHL game this season.

At the end of November, San Jose placed him on waivers, which he eventually cleared. He was then reassigned to the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the Barracuda.

Anna Kane, the estranged wife of San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane, has released a video allegedly showing him pointing a gun at her. 

Per TMZ Sports, Anna Kane posted the video on her social media page with the caption "pointing a loaded gun at me."

The video is allegedly of Evander Kane walking through a garage and pointing a gun in various directions before the footage stops. 

In a statement to TMZ Sports, the winger's attorneys addressed the video: 

She posted videos, taken intentionally out of context, from a professional photo shoot both parties participated in back in 2020. Her conduct, unfortunately, is consistent with her prior actions throughout this [divorce] case. Each time, we hope it will be the last. Each time, we strive to keep the peace and put the best foot forward. Each time, Evander is exonerated and Ms. Kane's allegations are unsubstantiated.

In September, A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported that Anna Kane accused her estranged husband of sexual assault and domestic battery in a domestic violence restraining order application filed as part of her divorce case. 

Travis Krepelka, Evander Kane's attorney, denied the accusation on behalf of his client in a statement provided to Perez. 

"To be clear, Evander denies ever abusing Ms. Kane or their daughter Kensington, whom he cherishes," Krepelka's said in the statement. "He recognizes that they have many years ahead of them as co-parents, during which they will have to work together, which makes it that much more frustrating that she has chosen this path."

Evander obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Anna in August after saying she punched him in the face multiple times in the past, per TMZ Sports. 

Both domestic violence restraining order filings were dropped in October to move forward with other issues over their pending divorce. 

Kane recently finished a 21-game suspension he received from the NHL for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols. Perez reported in October the 30-year-old allegedly submitted a fake vaccine card to the NHL. 

The San Jose Sharks announced on Sunday, the final day of his suspension, that Kane was placed on waivers. He cleared waivers the next day and was reassigned to the Barracuda, San Jose's AHL affiliate.    

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane wasn't too concerned about the NHL's investigation into allegations he bet on games.

Kane said Tuesday he "didn't lose any sleep over it," per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski:

It was definitely not great to be associated with that at the time. But they investigated me heavily, interviewed a bunch of different people and found what they found, which is nothing. Anybody who's played with me or coached me knows how competitive I am, so that would probably be the last thing that anyone would suspect.

Kane's estranged wife, Anna, said this summer he had gambled on NHL games and threw games based on bets he had made.

The 30-year-old filed for bankruptcy in January and said that he had lost $1.5 million from gambling within the preceding 12 months. The Cosmopolitan, a resort hotel and casino in Las Vegas, filed a $500,000 lawsuit against him over unpaid debts he incurred.

The NHL looked into Anna Kane's allegations and determined there was "no evidence to corroborate Ms. Kane's accusations that Mr. Kane bet or otherwise participated in gambling on NHL games." In addition, the league said what it discovered "raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations."

Perez reported in September that Anna Kane also accused Evander Kane of sexual assault and domestic battery in a court filing. Through his attorney, he denied the allegations. The league investigated those allegations as well and said they "could not be substantiated."

He also received a 21-game suspension for violating the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported the veteran goalscorer submitted a fake vaccination card. Of the violation, Kane said Tuesday, "I served my time, did my 21 games, and now I'm back," noting that he is now fully vaccinated.

Kane has yet to appear in a game for the Sharks this season and the team placed him on waivers. No team claimed him and his $7 million salary this season, so he reported to the AHL's San Jose Barracuda.

The San Jose Sharks are going to waive Evander Kane with the hope of assigning him to their AHL affiliate. 

Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will told reporters on Sunday that Kane will begin practicing with the San Jose Barracuda this week, assuming he clears waivers. 

Kane's agent, Dan Milstein, issued a statement on Twitter about the Sharks' decision:

Statement:Over the past few weeks, we have been discussing Evander’s return to San Jose. We were not surprised by the Sharks’ decision to put him on waivers and, if he does clear, he will report to the Barracudas. Evander is looking forward to resuming his NHL career this season

— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) November 28, 2021

Kane has yet to appear in a game for the Sharks this season. 

In October, A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported the NHL opened an investigation into allegations that Kane violated the league's COVID-19 protocols by obtaining "a fake vaccination card he allegedly submitted."

The NHL announced on Oct. 18 that Kane has been suspended 21 games without pay for an "established violation" of the NHL and NHL Players Association's COVID protocols. 

Kane issued a statement that was included in the league's announcement:

I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols. I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey.

In August, TMZ Sports reported Kane obtained a temporary restraining order against his estranged wife, Anna, amid allegations she physically abused him. 

Anna Kane filed a restraining order application in September, alleging Evander had a "history of domestic violence" against her. Both of them dropped their domestic violence restraining orders against the other last month as they move forward with other pending issues related to their divorce, per Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group. 

Kane has played three full seasons with the Sharks after they acquired him in February 2018 prior to the trade deadline in a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. 

The 30-year-old has appeared in 212 regular-season games with San Jose. His suspension to start this season is set to end after Sunday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.    

The NHL suspended San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane for 21 games because he violated its COVID-19 protocols.

The league also said it was unable to substantiate domestic abuse allegations levied against Kane by his estranged wife, Deanna.

The @NHL announced today that @SanJoseSharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for 21 regular-season games. https://t.co/2gGoptPkdV pic.twitter.com/U8HiGHKXdm

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) October 18, 2021

The NHL Players Association shared a statement from Kane:

I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols. I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey.

Because of his suspension, Kane won't be eligible to play until Nov. 30, when the Sharks play the New Jersey Devils. San Jose opened its account Saturday with a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

Over the summer, NHL conducted an investigation into Kane and cleared him of any wrongdoing after his wife said he had placed bets on Sharks games and intentionally threw games.

However, Front Office Sports' A.J. Perez reported Oct. 5 the 30-year-old was the subject of another inquiry in connection to the NHL's health and safety protocols. According to Perez, the league was looking into whether he submitted a fake vaccination card.

While players aren't required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, those who are unvaccinated are subject to tighter restrictions. Most notably, personnel aren't exempted from Canada's travel and quarantine guidelines.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week that only four players haven't been vaccinated.

Kane is in the fourth year of his seven-year, $49 million contract with the franchise. The Associated Press' Josh Dubow noted he'll have to forfeit around $1.7 million because of his unpaid suspension.

The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that Evander Kane "is considered a non-roster player pending completion of the NHL's investigation."

Kane, 30, is currently being investigated for two separate matters. He allegedly used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, and his estranged wife accused him of physical and sexual abuse last month, per Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News. 

No criminal charges have been filed against Kane. 

"I have no information for you, I really don't," Sharks head coach Bob Boughner told reporters Sunday when asked about Kane's status with the team. "I'd say no comment because I don't know."

The NHL has not put a timetable on the investigations into Kane. 

"Nothing I can share today," league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic's Sean Gentille and Craig Custance on Monday regarding Kane. "I do expect, obviously, there'll be news vis-a-vis Evander Kane relatively soon. I don't know whether that's [Monday] or whether that's later this week, but that there should be news in the near future, for sure."

Kane was previously cleared by the league on accusations from his wife Anna that he bet on NHL games. The league released the following statement in September:

The investigation uncovered no evidence to corroborate Ms. Kane's accusations that Mr. Kane bet or otherwise participated in gambling on NHL games, and no evidence to corroborate the allegations that Mr. Kane 'threw' games or did not put forward his best effort to help the Sharks win games. To the contrary, the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations. While Mr. Kane denied the accusations, our findings are not based on these denials, but instead on other evidence uncovered during the investigation.

Evander Kane was granted a temporary restraining order against Anna Kane in August, accusing her of being violent in the past. In September, Anna Kane filed for a restraining order against Kane, saying he initially was verbally abusive before she "eventually became his punching bag" during their relationship and that he sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion. 

With the 2021-22 NHL regular season set to begin, TNT hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette joined Bleacher Report for an AMA session Monday.

Bissonnette will move to the broadcast booth this year after six seasons in the NHL as a player. He discussed his upcoming move and memorable moments in his playing career with fans during the Q&A.

The following is the full transcript from the session.

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@BR_OpenIce What are you most excited about bringing to the TNT broadcast panel?

The advice I keep getting, especially from Wayne, is just be yourself. Turner tells us they want us to be ourselves. That was really refreshing. I'm excited to just get in there and let it fly with the guys. Whether it's diving into a serious topic or breaking a video down, it's just gonna be a very good time and a lighthearted feeling to the broadcast. Just having fun and just bringing my silly, goof personality.

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@Jibble How do you feel about the Coyotes making the switch back to the Kachina uniforms? As players, do you guys really care when a team decides to release a new uniform or change their current ones?

I personally did. I know the guys loved when they brought back the Kachinas. I would put Kachinas in the top 5 in the league. The younger guys these days love the new swagger, so I'm sure these guys are really excited about getting the new jerseys. Even last year, when they did the reverse retros. I would say Colorado with the Nordiques logo and the newer colors definitely hit a HR with the fans.

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@NotMitchTrubisky Who was your biggest inspiration as a player?

As soon as I got to Arizona, Shane Doan almost became my second dad. He wasn't overly judgemental but he took me under his wing. For a superstar, or a star in my eyes, to help me on and off the ice, despite all of his responsibilities, was huge. He was such a big component to me growing as a person and a player. It was recently his birthday, so Happy Birthday. I'm sure his wife was happy when he retired so he could spend time with his family, but I know he had such an effect on myself and many others.

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@JTforMVP0 Did you have any pregame rituals?

I wasn't overly superstitious. I had to do the music in the Yotes locker room. Some guys like country, then there are Europeans who like techno. Everybody liked different music, so I was trying to time things so that everybody was able to hear what they liked. My only superstition was keeping everyone happy and light.

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@Foxhole23 Favorite moment of your career?

I didn't score many goals in my career. My mother was sick for a few years and was never able to see me play. Finally, she wasn't sick anymore and the game was close enough in Buffalo. Coach gave me the heads up that I wasn't playing in Toronto, but that I would play in Buffalo. I had a family friend who had season tickets to Buffalo, put my grandparents on the glass and my parents had seats not too far in the lower bowl. I ended up scoring the game-winner. I was able to go up to my grandparents on the glass and kind of give them the knuckles. It just so happens the first game my mother and my grandparents were able to see me play live for the first time, I was able to score the game-winner in Buffalo. That one hit home. I get emotional telling that one sometimes.

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@SantaClaude28 What's the greatest team prank you've been a witness to?

The best pranks were back in the day even before I was involved. One of the guys took this powder they use that when you steal money the ink turns your hands purple. He put it in all the guys' gear and he even put it in his own. When the guys went out for practice, everyone starts noticing they look like Barney the dinosaur with purple hands. The trainer had to get everyone all new equipment because he overdid it on the powder. Everybody's hands were purple for like 5 days. Another time, someone put everyone's house keys in the middle of the room and no one could tell whose keys belonged to who. One last one, Brad May had gotten a brand new BMW and someone took his keys and filled it to the brim with popcorn. His whole car smelled like popcorn and he had to go get it detailed. Nothing compares to the old stories.

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@BJBawkowy Best and worst arenas you've had a chance to play in?

The worst rink as far as the amenities was in Long Island, The Coliseum. The crowd wasn't as popular as it is now because the teams weren't very good in that era.

It's kind of in the middle of nowhere. There's nothing really around the rink, so just a bummer to go to. Then, when you got into the locker room it wasn't very pretty.

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@Nahttodaydeath Could you take Whit in a fight?

Ya. Whit isn't a scrapper. I could definitely take him, but I've never seen his wires crossed truly.

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@46Mac Is there a specific guy who handed your ass to you in a fight?

Ryan Reaves. Hopefully he plays in the opener. I got put out against Reaves and I asked him and he told me 'Hitchcock said no.' I tried to grab him, I missed my reach and he gave me a couple punches then slammed me to the ice. After that, he was doing the championship belt celebration and I was so bitter in the box.

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@Wrage What was your go-to line to chirp to another opponent? Conversely, what's the best chirp that was ever delivered to you?

I was not a great chirper. It was more organic. The most proud I was, I think it was Sergei Gonchar. He whiffed on a breakaway and as he went by I said 'hey, maybe you're a lefty' as I handed out my stick. He was an elite player so he probably was like 'who the hell is this guy.' On my end, people would usually roast my playing time saying I'm usually 'a plug.' Once someone asked if it was my first shift of the game when I was out there, and even the ref started laughing at that.

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@MikeSteveRitter What's the craziest gambling story from your playing days?

The craziest one I heard was a guy going to the casino the night before the playoff game and losing half a million dollars while downing a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. Safe to say, he didn't look like himself out there the next game and they didn't win.

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@Just_In_Time You have to bet your life savings on Charles Barkley or Shaq to beat Vasilevskiy on a breakaway. Who are you taking and why?

I have a hard time putting my money on Chuck. I hope he doesn't hear this. I would have to go with Shaq. I don't want to base it off his golf swing, but I've seen him play other sports and I just have to go with Shaq. I think I could stop Chuck on a breakaway in goalie gear.  Maybe we could get him in studio, and I could get the pads on. His knees don't look the same so if we're doing it on skates I don't know if he could make it down to the goal line.

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@JFranson18 What's your go-to pick up line?

I was never a pick-up line. I would just go up to someone and introduce myself. I couldn't even tell you a pick-up line.

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Rapid Fire

@Kardos29 Best goal horn?

If you're a home team, probably Anaheim. And it's annoying. It has that tug-boat feel.

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@Garrettelliott02 Favorite restaurant in Scottsdale?

There is a place called Cafe Monarch and I think it's one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It's a hidden gem. I've lived here since 2009.

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@Hrennagade Ovechkin and Marchand fight. Who wins?

Ovi is a bear. I couldn't see any planet where Marchand beats Ovi in a fight. You saw when Svech bit off more than he could chew. I don't even know if I would fight him. He weighs 240 and is built like a beast.

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@NotMookieBetts Favorite teammate you played with?

Keith Yandle, easily the most entertaining guy. Especially for a guy who had to log minutes. He was always messing around. He was also one of the most superstitious people I've ever seen. He had a certain way of stretching his socks out. He had special way of stepping on the mats. It was a nuts-o scene.

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@foxhole23 Who wins the cup this year?

Colorado and Florida in the Final. It would be good for the league. I like new markets.