No matter where Evander Kane goes, trouble seems to follow the Buffalo Sabres forward. It doesn’t matter if he is in Winnipeg, Manitoba or Buffalo, New York, drama will find him.
For some, this has gotten to a point where excuses should be going out the window and remorse should be taking its place. But that isn’t the case with Kane. Thursday, in a conversation with Buffalo media, he blamed his off-ice issues on his status as a professional athlete. Does Kane have a point?
Sabres' Evander Kane: "These situations are what they are. They happen to athletes or people in a position such as myself. … (1)
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) September 22, 2016
The answer is simple and concise. No — no, he doesn’t. Not being able to own up to his own issues shows that immaturity runs deeply through his psyche, and with that comes delusion. Kane was arrested back in July after allegedly grabbing three separate women by their hair and neck. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of noncriminal harassment, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of misdemeanor trespassing.
In addition to the incident in July, Kane is being sued for allegedly attacking a woman in a hotel room back in December of this past year. He has filed a countersuit against the woman, while even going as far to say that her allegations are “a sham.”
Sabres' Evander Kane: "I’ve been focused on hockey all summer. I haven’t really put too much thought or emphasis on the other stuff."
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) September 22, 2016
The saddest part of it all is Kane doubling down and trying to push blame away from himself. He had this to say to CBC.ca:
“They happen (these charges) to athletes or people in a position such as myself. And those are things you just have to deal with, but in saying that, you have to be a little bit more aware and kind of put yourself on a higher pedestal than maybe you think you are.”
The Buffalo News‘ John Vogl hit the nail on the head, calling Kane out on his BS. His nonchalant attitude and approach to this season is also startling. Kane still has the veil of innocence over his head, right or wrong, but acting like nothing is happening is bordering on psychotic. As the 2016-17 NHL season is set to start, how the league handles Kane’s situation will be worth watching. But if prior instances indicate anything, expect the punishment to be minimal.
