San Jose Sharks: Evander Kane suspended by NHL for three games

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for three games following an altercation with an official in Sunday’s preseason finale.

The San Jose Sharks have a rich history of bad blood with the Vegas Golden Knights even though their adversaries have only been in the league for two seasons now. And forward Evander Kane has never been one to back away from altercations.

But the feud between the two squads spilled over into the preseason this year as Kane and his teammates played a chippy, competitive contest in the Sharks’ preseason finale on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Kane will be feeling the effects of said chippiness after being handed a three-game suspension by the NHL on Tuesday.

The ruling stems from a particular moment that occurred in Sunday’s game that involved an incident between Evander Kane and linesman Kiel Murchison.

No, it wasn’t a suspenion caused by a cheap hit or a nasty fight — although Kane did find himself in one of those with Vegas winger Valentin Zykov earlier in the evening. Instead, Kane is being suspended for “abuse of an official.”

The altercation started when Kane and veteran defenseman Deryk Engelland got in each other’s faces in the third period of Sunday’s game following a late cross-check from the Vegas defender.

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Murchison attempted to separate the two but Kane turned and slashed Engelland as the two were being pushed away, accidentally striking the official in the process. Murchison then aggressively grabbed Kane as the two toppled over on to the ice.

Kane, obviously not too happy with the takedown, shoved Murchison off of him after they got to their feet prompting the officiating crew to eject him from the game.

It was an odd encounter and one that will cost him three games of action to start the season. And even though this seems excessive, the Sharks should be counting their blessings that it isn’t more.

NHL rules state that “any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner….shall be automatically suspended for not less than 10 games.”

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Ignoring the circumstances of the altercation, it’s hard to argue that Kane did not do exactly that. Now, there is an argument to be made that the official is just as much to blame for the encounter as Kane, but it’s unlikely that he faces any ramifications for his actions.

As for the Sharks, this is a pretty significant blow to the team even if it will only be for the first three games of the season. Kane was slated to be a key contributor on the team’s second line playing alongside center Tomas Hertl.

But for now, those plans will be on hold.

This should open up an opportunity for some of the team’s younger players to receive more playing time during those three games which is somewhat of a silver lining from this incident.

If anything, at least the Evander Kane/Ryan Reaves drama will take a backseat for the team’s first two games of the season — both against the Golden Knights. But don’t expect the bad blood to just disappear with Kane off the ice.

These teams really do not like each other and that will remain true with or without Kane. It’s just a shame that the Sharks’ feisty second-line winger won’t be able to partake in the potential fireworks.