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Pros and cons of Maple Leafs pursuing Evander Kane

By David Morassutti

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) deflects a shot as defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) collides with San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane (9). John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) deflects a shot as defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) collides with San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane (9). John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) skates up ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

With Evander Kane getting his contract terminated, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly expressed interest in signing him.

It should not come as a surprise that with Evander Kane becoming a free agent, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly expressed interest in him.

Michael Traikos of Postmedia reported that the Leafs are among several teams looking to sign Kane to a one-year contract for the remainder of the season. There are still layers to his current story that needs to be sorted out since he is filing a grievance against the San Jose Sharks.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that teams are interested in signing Kane as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman made it known that he will have some suitors.

"“I do believe there’s legit interest out there,” said Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada. “The league and players’ association are going to have to get together a set system that this can happen because, in theory, if he were to win a grievance he would have two NHL contracts.”"

The 30-year-old was placed  on unconditional waivers Saturday in order to terminate his contract. The reason for this as San Jose said in a statement was related to a “breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols.”

It’s been made known that the Sharks were looking to offload Kane’s deal which carried a $7 million cap hit until the end of the 2024-25 season. That was not something many teams wanted or could accommodate but as a free agent, Kane will definitely have suitors.

The question is whether the Leafs should be one of them? We decide to take a look at the pros and cons of a potential deal.

Pro: Evander Kane remains a productive player as a power forward

We know the Leafs have made it a point to add players who provide some tenacity to the lineup but getting one that can be a consistent offensive producer has been tough to find.

He has scored 20 or more goals in seven of the last eight seasons he has played. Of course, it can’t be ignored that Kane is afraid to play a physical brand of hockey as he likes to hit and stick up for his teammates.

He has eight points in five games in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda after serving a suspension for using a fake vaccination card.

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