Evander Kane decided to skip the free agency this summer and instead sign a new deal with San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old left winger inked a 7-year, $49 million deal with the Sharks, the team has announced on Thursday. According to ESPN, the deal also contains a limited no-trade clause.
7 more years with @evanderkane_9 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KteJJWt2Vc
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 24, 2018
“It’s good to be wanted and I wanted them just as much as they wanted me,” – said Kane after signing the deal. “The fact that we were able to work out a deal so quickly reflects that. Obviously, when you’re a free agent you have the option to do what you want, and I made it clear to them that I didn’t want to go anywhere else.“
San Jose Sharks acquired Evander Kane from Buffalo Sabres back in February, sending forward Danny O’Regan, a conditional first-round or second-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2020 NHL Draft in exchange. Kane immediately made an impact with his new team, scoring nine goals and providing 5 assists in 17 games.
Since Kane ended up signing a deal with Sharks, the Sabres will now get their first-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft instead of second-rounders. Still, according to Sharks’ coach Peter DeBoer, the team will gladly pay that price.
“You don’t find guys like this unless you’re picking in the top three, four guys in the draft, and no one wants to be there,” – said DeBoer. “When you’re signing free agents, especially elite players and guys that are going to play huge roles for you, you really want to know about them as much as possible. And you really don’t know a player until you stand behind the bench and are around them every day. So that was a nice luxury to have. I think we all felt comfortable that this was a guy that could help us win.“
After locking in Evander Kane on a long-term deal, the Sharks will now be looking to bring back team’s all-time leader in points per game, Joe Thornton. Thornton previously said he was willing to return on a one year deal for a reduced price, in order to help Sharks to be more competitive next season.
