The NHL's investigation into gambling allegations made against Evander Kane is expected to wrap up before the start of training camp in mid-September, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.
Daly also added that the San Jose Sharks forward has not been suspended.
Evander's wife, Anna, said he threw his own games for gambling reasons in a series of Instagram stories posted Saturday. The NHL released a statement of its own, saying the league would be taking her allegations "very seriously."
The following day, Evander denied Anna's claims, tweeting, "I have NEVER gambled/bet on hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games, and NEVER thrown a hockey game."
The Chicago Blackhawks are pledging to reveal the findings of an independent review into the sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Aldrich.
"(The Blackhawks will) share results with you, our partners, and our fans and will promptly implement changes to address the findings and shortcomings of our organization," the club's CEO Danny Wirtz wrote in an internal memo that The Athletic's Mark Lazerus obtained.
"I can assure you that we are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive," Wirtz added. "And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self-evaluation."
In May, an unnamed former Blackhawks player sued the organization, claiming Aldrich sexually abused him and a teammate in 2010.
About a month later, Wirtz reportedly said the club had hired a former federal prosecutor to lead an independent review into the allegations against Aldrich and the team's reported unwillingness to inform law enforcement.
Susan Loggans, the lawyer for the player who filed the lawsuit, said in early July that her client wouldn't take part in the independent investigation. She questioned a process that "has been paid for by the Blackhawks" while wondering why she and her client should participate if the results weren't going to be publicized. However, she later said the player would be open to being involved under certain conditions.
John Torchetti, who was Chicago's associate coach at the time of the alleged abuse, said in late June that the team met during the 2009-10 Stanley Cup Playoffs to discuss the allegations, and ultimately chose not to notify the police.
Last month, former Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel said he believed nearly all of the team's then-players knew about the allegations against Aldrich. Sopel also said Joel Quenneville, Chicago's bench boss at the time, worked in the same office as Aldrich. Quenneville denied knowing of the alleged abuse and claimed he found out through the media this summer.
Quenneville, who now coaches the Florida Panthers, has offered to take part in the independent review.
NHL Rumor Mill – August 2, 2021 Check out the latest on Vladimir Tarasenko and an update on the Canadiens in today’s NHL rumor mill. LATEST ON TARASENKO STLTODAY.COM: Jim Thomas reports all’s quiet on the Vladimir Tarasenko trade front. He believes it became “painfully apparent” there was no market for the unhappy 29-year-old winger […]
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2021 Marc-Andre Fleury will report to the Blackhawks, the Kraken’s contract with Philipp Grubauer rejected by the league, Evander Kane denies betting on NHL games, and 17 players file for salary arbitration. Get the details in today’s morning coffee headlines. NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Marc-Andre Fleury confirmed Sunday he […]
Penny Oleksiak better look out: There's a new swimmer in the family.
The Olympian's brother, Seattle Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, says he's started to incorporate swimming into his training regimen to help get himself out of his comfort zone.
"I might have to race Penny," Jamie joked in an interview with TSN's Mark Masters. "I'm gonna need a long, long head start before she gets going."
Swimming is a "late development" for the 28-year-old, but he's giving it a go.
"Things can get kind of monotonous when you do the same training over and over again. So I think doing swimming is something a little bit different, kind of use different muscles that you're not used to and developing them," Jamie said.
Jamie has a lot of work to do before he can reach the same heights as his sister, who just became the all-time most decorated Canadian Olympian while competing at the Tokyo Games.
"I wouldn't say I'm the best swimmer ever," he said, adding, "I'm definitely more of a sinker."
Jamie's favorite stroke at the moment is freestyle.
"I can't do anything else, basically," he said. "I'm not much of a swimmer, so I'm sticking to the basics right now, we'll see what happens down the road, though."
Between Penny's historic success and Jamie's new five-year deal with the Kraken, the Oleksiaks will have plenty to celebrate when Penny returns to Canada. Jamie says the family plans to head to the cottage and catch up.
Evander Kane denied several allegations his wife, Anna, made Saturday, including her claim that he threw games for gambling reasons.
"Unfortunately, I would like to address the completely FALSE accusations that my estranged wife and soon-to-be ex-wife has made against me," the San Jose Sharks forward wrote Sunday on Twitter.
"Even against the advice of my legal team, I feel strongly that the public and fans hear this directly from me. I have NEVER gambled/bet on hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games, and NEVER thrown a hockey game."
Kane pointed to the fact that he posted his best and most consistent season in 2021.
"I'm proud of that," he wrote. "I love the game of hockey and would never do any of what was alleged. I look forward to cooperating fully with the league's investigation, having my name cleared, and looking forward to this upcoming season."
The veteran winger also described Anna as "mentally unwell."
She responded shortly thereafter on Sunday, referring to a New York Post story about Kane's comments. Anna claimed her husband said his gambling associates would kill her and their daughter Kensington if she revealed his alleged activities.
She also accused the media of allowing Kane to control the narrative due to his status.
The player's wife posted a series of slides to her Instagram story Saturday, including one accusing her husband of being "a compulsive gambling addict who's obviously throwing games." That slide has since been deleted.
However, another one from Saturday - which remains - is directed at the NHL. In it, Anna wonders if "someone" could ask commissioner Gary Bettman "how they can let a player gamble on his own games?"
The league responded shortly after Saturday's posts circulated, saying it takes the allegations "very seriously" and would investigate.
Kane, who'll turn 30 on Monday, reportedly filed for bankruptcy in January.
Reviewing Some Recent Notable NHL Trades & Free-Agent Signings July 25 to 31 was a busy week in the NHL following the entry-draft weekend with the annual free-agent market opening on July 28. I noted the top UFA signings of the opening day of free agency for Bleacher Report. Here’s a quick look at several […]
Initially, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner was reportedly uninterested in suiting up for the Blackhawks after the Vegas Golden Knights traded him to Chicago on Tuesday.
At the time, Fleury reportedly didn't want to move his family to an unfamiliar city, and the veteran's concern wasn't about the Blackhawks organization. Fleury's agent Allan Walsh said Tuesday the goaltender would be taking some time to determine his future.
Chicago acquired the 36-year-old from Vegas in exchange for minor-league forward Mikael Hakkarainen.
Fleury is under contract through 2021-22 at a $7-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. The three-time Stanley Cup champion produced one of his best seasons in 2021, pacing NHL netminders in goals saved above expected at all strengths and ranking fourth in the same category at five-on-five, according to Evolving Hockey. He posted a .928 save percentage while earning six shutouts over only 36 games.
The Blackhawks have undergone a major transformation this offseason. They landed blue-chip defenseman Seth Jones in a blockbuster deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets after trading franchise fixture Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers for Seth's brother, Caleb.
Chicago also secured forward and back-to-back champion Tyler Johnson in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning that involved Brent Seabrook's contract, and the team signed skilled rearguard Jake McCabe to a four-year deal.
Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 1, 2021 Check out the latest on Marc-Andre Fleury, Jack Eichel and Elias Pettersson in today’s Sunday NHL rumor roundup. WILL FLEURY REPORT TO THE BLACKHAWKS? THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Rob Rossi report multiple sources close to Marc-Andre Fleury said he and his family haven’t yet made a […]
