Evander Kane nears KHL move after 1,000 NHL games
Evander Kane is set to continue his professional hockey career in Russia after a 17-season tenure in the NHL. The 35-year-old forward, who recently surpassed the milestone of 1,000 career regular-season games, is close to finalizing a contract with a KHL team, according to his agent, Dan Milstein.
“We had a couple of options here in North America, but in the end Evander chose to take his talent to Russia,” Milstein told the podcast Daily Faceoff. Milstein confirmed that an official announcement is expected within the coming days. The player has been without a club throughout the summer after his contract with the Vancouver Canucks expired.
Kane spent the previous season with the Vancouver Canucks, recording 31 points in 71 games. Throughout his career, he has played for Atlanta, Winnipeg, Buffalo, San Jose, Edmonton, and Vancouver. In Edmonton, he participated in two Stanley Cup finals.
Legal and financial challenges during NHL career
Kane’s time in the NHL was marked by significant controversy outside of his on-ice performance. The forward filed for personal bankruptcy in 2021, reporting massive debts, including gambling debts and total liabilities reaching hundreds of millions of kronor. In 2019, he was sued by a major Las Vegas casino.
In 2022, he was placed on unconditional waivers by the San Jose Sharks and subsequently had his contract terminated following a dispute involving a falsified COVID-19 vaccination record. The player’s union contested the termination, but the parties eventually reached an agreement to part ways. Additional allegations, including claims of domestic violence and improper betting on NHL games, were investigated by the league, though the NHL found no evidence regarding certain accusations made by his former wife.
"Evander Kane decided to take his talents to Russia" Dan Milstein breaks that his client, Evander Kane will play this season in the KHL.@JeffMarek | @TheFourthPeriod Presented by @bet365ca #bet365 📺: https://t.co/jkiYPNw5xM 🎧: https://t.co/oZos5evr8h pic.twitter.com/Af0YAR6VqA
On-ice conduct and recent transitions
The transition to the KHL follows a period of instability for the veteran forward. After leaving the Vancouver Canucks at the conclusion of his contract, Kane remained unsigned throughout the summer. His final season with the Edmonton Oilers in 2025 ended on a contentious note. Following an Edmonton Oilers loss to the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, Kane declined to participate in the traditional post-game handshake line, an act noted in media coverage.
Questions regarding the KHL transition
Why is Evander Kane moving to the KHL?
His agent, Dan Milstein, stated that while there were offers available in North America, Kane made a personal decision to pursue his career in Russia for the upcoming season.
What is the status of his contract with a Russian team?
Nothing has been signed yet. Milstein confirmed in the Daily Faceoff podcast that negotiations are in the final stages and an agreement is expected to be formalized within a few days.
How many NHL games did Kane play?
Over his 17-year career, which began with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, Kane played 1,001 regular-season NHL games and recorded 648 points.
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