<p>The NHL announced on Monday that San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended without pay for 21 games for violating COVID-19 protocol. </p>







<p><meta charset="utf-8">A couple of weeks ago, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32349682/san-jose-sharks-forward-evander-kane-being-investigated-nhl-allegedly-using-fake-covid-19-vaccine-card-report-says">ESPN reported</a> that the NHL was investigating Kane for allegations that he used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, which is illegal in both Canada and the United States and is against NHL rules. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> announces a 21-game suspension of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sjsharks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sjsharks</a> Evander Kane for “an established violation of Covid-19 protocol.”<br><br>The league also says its investigation into allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife “could not be substantiated.” <a href="https://t.co/HLJTAi5VJA">pic.twitter.com/HLJTAi5VJA</a></p>— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1450214027339182083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The statement from the NHL also stated that the league’s<a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/nhl-investigation-concludes-no-evidence-that-evander-kane-bet-on-league-games/"> investigation into allegations of domestic abuse</a> made against Kane from his estranged wife, Deanna, could not be substantiated. The NHL said there would be no further comment on the matter. </p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="139"></div>



<p>Kane was left off of the Sharks’ opening night roster, noting that he “is considered a non-roster player pending completion of the NHL’s investigation.”</p>



<p>Given the completion of the NHL’s investigation surrounding Kane’s domestic abuse allegations, he would be able to return to the Sharks at the end of this 21-game suspension for using a fake COVID-19 vaccine card. </p>



<p>Kane led the Sharks with 22 goals and 49 points in 2021 and has three years left on his contract after this one with a $7,000,000 annual cap hit. </p>



<p>Back in August, <a href="https://theathletic.com/news/several-sharks-teammates-dont-want-evander-kane-back-on-the-team-sources/1ffGCFrGpnx3/">Kevin Kurz reported in The Athletic</a> that the Sharks were trying to trade Kane due to a strained relationship with many of his teammates.</p>



<p>“According to one source, the frustration with Kane stemmed from a general “disrespect for team rules,” such as being late for practices and games.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>



<p>‘And zero consequences came, which caused a ripple effect with other, younger guys,’ added the source. According to another source: ‘It wasn’t easy dealing with him this season.'”</p>