The NHL expects to conclude its investigation into Sharks forward Evander Kane by the start of training camp next month, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Monday in an email to this news organization.
Anna Kane, the player’s estranged wife, alleged in a series of social media posts Saturday that Kane had bet on NHL games and was “throwing games to win money.”
Kane strenuously denied the allegations Sunday in two posts on his Twitter account. He said he would cooperate with the NHL investigation.
Daly said Monday that Kane has not been suspended by NHL.
Per the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association, gambling by players on any NHL game is prohibited. League by-laws also contain a provision that says any player betting on any NHL game — whether it is his team’s game or not — may be expelled or suspended by the commissioner.
Sharks training camp is expected to begin in the second half of September, likely the week of Sept. 20.
In her Instagram posts Saturday, Anna Kane asked: “How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he’s obviously throwing games to win money? Hmm maybe someone needs to address this,” she wrote.
“Can someone ask (Commissioner) Gary Bettman how they can let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?” Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, so the messages are no longer on her page.
“I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,” Evander Kane wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “The facts are I personally had my best season of my career last year and was the most consistent I’ve been throughout any season, I’m proud of that. I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged.
“I look forward to cooperating fully with the league’s investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season.”
Anna Kane was moving out of the former couple’s white farmhouse-style house in Willow Glen on Monday. As a mattress and box spring were being loaded into a moving truck, she came briefly to the door but said she didn’t want to talk. Her 1-year-old daughter was in the background in the arms of a babysitter.
In January, Kane filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy listing assets totaling just over $10.2 million and his liabilities at over $26.8 million. According to the petition, he lost $1.5 million due to gambling “at casino and via bookie (sports betting).”
Kane, who turned 30 Monday, has four seasons remaining on the seven-year, $49 million deal he signed with the Sharks in May 2018.
Per figures on CapFriendly.com, Kane has earned just under $56 million over a 12-year NHL career. Over the next four years, Kane is owed $26 million in salary.
This past year was among Kane’s best in the NHL, as he led the Sharks in goals (22), assists (27), and points (49).
Staff writer Julia Prodis Sulek contributed to this story.
