BHN Puck Links: Evander Kane Responds; NHL Trade Rumors

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has now publicly denied allegations from his estranged wife Anna that he bet on games he played in and attempted to throw games for his own financial gains:

pic.twitter.com/CgkRgD8vT2

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) August 1, 2021

Just as the NHL trade and free agent markets seemed to be dying down, Evander Kane kept the NHL in the news cycle for all the wrong reasons.

On Saturday, Anna dropped the bombshell accusations; one of which was that Evander Kane has bet on San Jose Sharks games. Anna Kane also accused Kane of emotionally and financially neglecting her and their 1-year-old daughter while she has been pregnant with their second child.

There is some very serious accusations being made by Evander Kane’s wife saying that Evander is gambling on his own games #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/D63zufsdI1

— SJ Sharks Coverage (@SJSharksNewsIG) July 31, 2021

Within three hours of this bombshell news, the NHL announced that it was immediately launching an investigation. 

The League was made aware this evening of a post on social media alleging that San Jose Sharks Player Evander Kane bet on NHL games. The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously. (1/2)

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 31, 2021

I’m sorry but before we go on here, while these accusations against Evander Kane definitely deserved an almost immediate response and investigation by the NHL but why did it take eleven years to get even a response to the Chicago Blackhawks sexual abuse allegations?

Back to Evander Kane though, as my colleague Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now pointed out in his in-depth job on this whopping news story, this isn’t the first time Kane has found himself in hot water because of his gambling addiction.

This isn’t Evander Kane’s first run-in with gambling issues.

In 2019, The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas sued him because of $500,000 in unpaid gambling debts. The suit was dropped in April 2020. In January 2021, Kane filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, admitting that he had lost $1.5 million dollars due to gambling “at casino and via bookie (sports betting).”

“With respect to my gambling, it has been an issue in my past and it would be inaccurate to pretend it has not had a negative effect on my life, financially and otherwise,” Evander Kane wrote in a March bankruptcy filing. “I have undergone and continue to receive personal therapy to deal with it and other matters and hope that the issue is behind me.”

Apparently, it’s not and now thanks to Evander Kane, the NHL is once again dominating the news for all the wrong reasons.

Now on to the rest of your BHN Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

For some unknown reason, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed former Bruins forwards Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase. (Boston Hockey Now)

Welcome back Bruins Development Camp! (Boston Hockey Now) 

National Hockey Now

Evgeni Malkin turned 35 on Saturday. To celebrate, here are our Top 5 Evgeni Malkin moments. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

 Keith Yandle took a “show-me” deal with the Philadelphia Flyers after the Florida Panthers paid him to go away. The offensive defenseman Yandle says it was a “no brainer” to sign with the Flyers. (Philly Hockey Now)

The Capitals are going to let in-house candidates vie for lineup spots this fall. Here’s a name Pittsburgh Penguins fans might get to know–Martin Fehervary. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Panthers signed former Columbus Blue Jackets plugger Zac Dalpe. (Florida Hockey Now)

I know, I know — every fanbase and every message board had a not-so-secret hope that Tyler Bertuzzi would be available. He’s not. The Detroit Red Wings made sure of that on Saturday with a healthy bridge deal. (Detroit Hockey Now)

The Canucks, Flames, and Oilers used to hold their rookie tournament together, but they scrapped it because it was too close to Vancouver. What?! (Vancouver Hockey Now)

NHL

Could Kaapo Kakko be Jack Eichel’s ticket out of Buffalo? (NY Post)