Evander Kane addresses controversy in Cup Final handshake line, speaks on trade to Vancouver
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Evander Kane played his final game with the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final loss before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks - not an ideal way to leaves Edmonton after 4 quality seasons.
In Game 6 of the Cup Final, some controversy emerged when Evander Kane was not seen in the handshake line after the final buzzer. Now, Kane is explaining himself and opening up on the trade.
Evander Kane opens up about trade, handshake line controversy in Stanley Cup Final
In a new interview with the Edmonton Journal, Evander Kane opened up on the controversy and his time with the Oilers at large.
It's baffling to me, how anybody saw that in any other way than somebody getting kicked out of a game. I've never seen anybody come out and shake hands if they were kicked out of the game in an elimination game of the postseason. So, I didn't. Then I saw some criticism around it for me, I felt like they were just looking for something to talk about.
The season's over. I mean, who cares? You look at some of the media pundits, they talk about how you gotta go down swinging, and then once you go down swinging, it's all about discipline, has he lost his mind. I find it ridiculous.
- Evander Kane
The season's over. I mean, who cares? You look at some of the media pundits, they talk about how you gotta go down swinging, and then once you go down swinging, it's all about discipline, has he lost his mind. I find it ridiculous.
- Evander Kane
Kane received a 10-minute misconduct penalty in the final two minutes of Game 6, a weak call as the referees were trying to tone down the animosity of the game. After that, as Kane said, he simply didn't return.
Additionally, Kane named spoke about his trade out of Edmonton. He clearly would've loved another chance with the team to finish off their Stanley Cup goals, but he understands turnover was bound to happen, and was grateful the Oilers sent him to his hometown - even for a lesser return.
I would have loved to have stayed and finish my career here in Edmonton.
The Oilers did a nice job of working with me to get me to a place that made some sense for me and my family instead of just trading me to the highest bidder.
- Evander Kane
The Oilers did a nice job of working with me to get me to a place that made some sense for me and my family instead of just trading me to the highest bidder.
- Evander Kane
Finally, Kane touched one soft spot for the Edmonton Oilers. When asked about the true difference in the Stanley Cup Finals the last two years, Kane said that Florida's goaltending was far superior, and just stole them games. He seemed to strongly hint that the Oilers goaltending wasn't the same.
I think the whole series, both Cup finals, you know, their goaltender (Sergei Bobrovsky) stole some games for them. He was elite, and you look at their team, they've got big, mobile defencemen, great goaltending and they've got a deep forward lineup with some top-end talent. You could have said the same thing about our team was as well, or be very close to that.
- Evander Kane
- Evander Kane
Though his play was inconsistent the last two years through injuries, the Oilers will surely miss Evander Kane. At his best, he's a full power forward with scoring ability that's truly rare in the NHL. His playoffs in 2022 were the peak of his time in Edmonton, but every postseason he found a way to raise his game.
It's unfortunate that Kane has to go to the rival Vancouver Canucks, but it is his hometown and his wish. Hopefully, they won't meet the Oilers in the postseason next year.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 11 | 432 ANSWERS Evander Kane addresses controversy in Cup Final handshake line, speaks on trade to Vancouver Do you think Kane should have come out for the handshakes? | ||
| Yes | 222 | 51.4 % |
| No | 210 | 48.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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