With one year remaining on his contract with the Buffalo Sabres, winger Evander Kane hears his name mentioned in trade rumors.
He seems quite used to it, in fact.
"My name seems to create a buzz with some reporters and radio stations. I wonder if I have some thank-you cards coming," Kane said to Steve Ewen of The Province at a reunion for the Vancouver Giants' 2007 Memorial Cup champions.
The chatter isn't something he seems to be losing sleep over.
"Do I worry about the rumours? No. The funny part about rumours is that if you don't know something is going on, then nobody else does," he said. "I have an agent (Don Meehan) who is knowledgeable and tapped in. He gives me updates when I need updates. I'd like to think I'm well informed when I need to be."
The rumors aren't entirely out of place, though, seeing as Kane's deal expires next summer and he's set to command a hefty raise, especially if he can replicate his 28 goals in 70 games from this past season.
Sabres general manager Jason Botterill is new on the job and will no doubt assess the roster from top to bottom, and Kane's off-ice issues may play a role in any decision to jettison him out of Buffalo.
For his part, Kane has expressed a desire to remain a Sabre, and believes he was able to bring his all to the team in 2016-17 despite facing charges of disorderly conduct and harassment - which were eventually dismissed - stemming from an incident last summer.
"I thought I did a pretty good job of that last season," Kane said of staying focused on his game. "I'm just going to continue to let my play on the ice do all the negotiating and talking and answering for me.
"I'm getting prepared to start another NHL season," he added. "Hopefully it's in Buffalo."
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