Off-Season Hockey Thread

Did anyone go to the skills showcase? How would it make sense to not have a broadcast available?

There's a game today? Huh

Appreciate the Sharks providing no video for their home preseason games. Clutch fan service.

Boom! You're Hired!

I was thinking the same thing. After two covid years you would think all the NHL/AHL franchises would be doing all they could to advertise and hype up the "return to normal schedule" season. Broadcasting everything to include SJ sharkie's drive to the rink lol. But no we were left in the dark, no preseason game, no skills showcase. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't care about preseason games, but this year I want to watch some regular hockey. 

An investigation of San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane over allegations he violated the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols centers around a fake vaccination card he allegedly submitted, sources tell Front Office Sports.

Punishments for violating COVID protocols are not specifically spelled out, but the NHL makes it clear that a “lack of compliance will result in significant Club and individual sanctions, including potential forfeiture of games, fines and reimbursements of expenses, loss of draft choices, and/or ineligibility for participation in training activities.”

Beyond possible NHL sanctions, using a fake vaccination card is illegal both in the U.S. and Canada.

A person who buys, sells or uses a counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination card faces up to five years in prison under U.S. federal law. A traveler attempting to enter Canada with a bogus vaccination card can be hit with a fine up to $750,000 and be incarcerated up to six months.

Sportsnet reported on Sept. 28 that the Sharks star was subject to an investigation related to a violation of COVID-19 protocols, although the specific reason for the inquiry was not specified. Kane and the Sharks mutually agreed that he would not attend training camp following sexual and domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife, Anna Kane, that were first reported by FOS.

On Sept. 22, the NHL announced that an independent investigation found no proof that Kane bet on his own games, allegations made by Anna Kane on social media over the summer. In the same news release, the NHL also announced an investigation into the abuse claims.

One version of that news release from the NHL — which has since been updated — stated Kane faced an investigation “involving allegations of inappropriate behavior potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of Club members.”

The Sharks and NHL declined to comment when reached by FOS on Tuesday.

Kane has missed all five of the Sharks’ preseason games and his status for the team’s regular-season opener on Oct. 16 against the Winnipeg Jets is uncertain.

Kane, 30, has four seasons left in a seven-year, $49 million contract.

I have been able to figure out with relative confidence that it appears that the games will be on CSNCA, as the Sharks were posting about YouTube TV dropping the regional sports channels in their (YouTube TV's) then contract feud with NBC Universal.

They wouldn't be doing that if the games weren't airing on their channels, right?

But what mystifies me is the local broadcast schedule hasn't been released yet, and opening night is only 11 days away.  

The best one:

Love to see the Panthers and Lightning settling some scores and setting the tone for the season last night. Their playoff series was fun and hope the rivalry continues to blossom.

"The Spanish Succession Wars"

Even if he had an epiphany this summer and has figured out how to straighten up, I think the damage is too far done and he needs to either move teams or league. That would be the ultimate F U to the sharks and take picks away for Kanes actions.