Sharks prepared to move on without Evander Kane; Kane sells San Jose home

There has been little question that the San Jose Sharks are a different team without Evander Kane. Whether it is good or bad is yet to be found out. The feeling at the Sharks training camp has been much more upbeat and everyone seems to be in a much better mood since it began two weeks ago.

«I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but it's the best vibe I've seen in the last couple years here,» coach Bob Boughner said of training camp.

Not one player seemed to be very concerned about the latest news surrounding winger Evander Kane. Although the league is still conducting two investigations on Kane, one involving domestic violence and the other involving a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, it seems very unlikely that he will be joining the team anytime soon, especially after his home in San Jose sold for $3.4 million.

In other Evander Kane news, his Willow Glen home sold yesterday for $3.4M. #SJSharks https://t.co/TszPjeEYif pic.twitter.com/8hibsBHYUQ— TEAL TOWN USA - A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) October 7, 2021

«You don't really think about it too much. That's the biggest thing,» Kevin Labanc said when asked how the room has been different without Kane in it.

«You've got to stay focused and committed to the task at hand. If he comes back, he comes back. If not, we still have got to remain with the same focus and come and do our jobs every day.»

The on-ice production will be difficult to replace, but maybe Kane's absence in the locker room will result in other players bouncing back. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson attempted at changing the locker room vibe this offseason after signing veterans Nick Bonino and Andrew Cogliano, as well as re-signing Matt Nieto.

«It was huge getting those (veteran) additions,» Nieto said. «Those are veteran guys that have been around and know what it takes to win, and have been on winning teams. Losing Kaner, he was our leading scorer last year, so if we don't start with him it's going to be a group effort to have contributions throughout the lineup. Everyone's aware of that. I think we have the bodies that are able to do that.»

Bob Boughner is hoping that other players step up and show how deep he believes his lineup actually is.

«You lose some goals and some offense (without Kane), but I look at it as we're a deeper team, and I think we're going to get a little more offense from the bottom of our lineup than we did last year, as well. I hope that picks up and makes up for some of the slack. Hopefully, our power play is better.»

One player that has benefited from this mess is Sharks 2021 first round pick William Eklund, who has impressed mightily during training camp and the preseason, and it seems that he has a very high chance of making the team's opening night lineup. Another player whose attitude seems to have changed from last year is Tomas Hertl's.

«I don't want to go really deep (into it),» Hertl said. «This year is for sure way more fun. Last year was so many (COVID-19) rules. I think everybody's (enjoying it) right now.»

»I think there's a lot of fun energy in the locker room. We've got a lot of young guys but (we're all) on the same page. It's a real positive thing, especially after last year when we (started) in Arizona. It's nice after a long summer (to) be here. Our preseason is pretty long, so we can really enjoy each other. It's really fun now being in the locker room.»

Boughner thinks that the team needs to focus on the more important things at hand than a troubled teammate.

«There's too much else going on, important things going on, to have to sit and focus on that,» Boughner said.

theathletic.com

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