Evander Kane

[The Nemesis]

That's sad and terrible.

I don't think it's the point where you cut bait yet. It's the point where it becomes the last-ditch offer to help him sort his life out. Partner with the PA and send him to gambler's anonymous over the next year or so. Loop in his family too. Get him to take a financial literacy course and maybe find someone who can act as an advisor that can help him budget and control his money and spending habits better. And if he's reticent, remind him about his place in the HDA and the importance of being a voice for positive change, which would include potentially being someone who can use this as a platform to help other people deal with the same issues he's had.

The hope is that if this is rock bottom for him it can become the impetus for him to finally make some changes to sort things out. If he doesn't want the help now, then you say "that's it" and walk away. But if there's an opportunity to salvage this and help him get his life back on track, it should be taken.

I sincerely hope it gets sorted out with a positive resolution and not with Kane or the Sharks having to walk away from one another.

EDIT: also if it means he doesn't play this season in order to facilitate this happening, so be it. This season is probably a wash anyways given the team's construction and potential outcomes, so if Kane's place in it has to be sacrificed for him to get the help he needs, that's totally fine.

 

[Levie]

That's sad and terrible.

I don't think it's the point where you cut bait yet. It's the point where it becomes the last-ditch offer to help him sort his life out. Partner with the PA and send him to gambler's anonymous over the next year or so. Loop in his family too. Get him to take a financial literacy course and maybe find someone who can act as an advisor that can help him budget and control his money and spending habits better. And if he's reticent, remind him about his place in the HDA and the importance of being a voice for positive change, which would include potentially being someone who can use this as a platform to help other people deal with the same issues he's had.

The hope is that if this is rock bottom for him it can become the impetus for him to finally make some changes to sort things out. If he doesn't want the help now, then you say "that's it" and walk away. But if there's an opportunity to salvage this and help him get his life back on track, it should be taken.

I sincerely hope it gets sorted out with a positive resolution and not with Kane or the Sharks having to walk away from one another.

Seems like it's also more than just gambling. He has many people in his family who he put as dependents. Family makes terrible financial decisions, ask Jack Johnson.

 

[The Nemesis]

Seems like it's also more than just gambling. He has many people in his family who he put as dependents. Family makes terrible financial decisions, ask Jack Johnson.

Then you need to have whoever serves as the financial educator/planner for him to also address his family and sort that out too. The Sharks and the PA should probably stress the potential to have him appoint a trustee that can manage things for him so that the decision not to just indulge any close hanger-on that wants to milk him for cash comes from an impartial voice and not from Kane himself who can be manipulated by them.

 

[tiburon12]

I just wanted to add part of the article here.



It seems strange to me as well. To mention something like this in the filing when you have been actively practicing with the team. I have backed him time and again for his off-ice concerns but its come to the point where it may be better for the Sharks to get rid of him.

Regarding the opt-out, surely that isn't a realistic option, right? wouldn't any opt out at this point result in actual contract termination?

 

[OrrNumber4]

I always found it odd the vitriol people have towards people who make really bad financial decisions but are incredibly supportive of those with substance abuse problems.

With substance abuse, people can usually empathize with the logic of "if you were in his shoes, you would do the same thing".

The same feeling doesn't arise in cases like Kane's.

 

[LadyStanley]

While those chemical addictions get a lot of help, as mentioned elsewhere, sometimes folks with financial issues don't get the same help.

There is the issue of morals clause in the Sharks and league's case. There is the potential for the Sharks to invoke the clause and void his contract. The league could choose to act.

It does look really bad. If he needs to take leave from team (paid or not) to a) straighten this out, b) put things back together, then so be it.

With these financial issues "hanging" over his head, it may have impacted his play.


Sigh.

 

[one2gamble]

With substance abuse, people can usually empathize with the logic of "if you were in his shoes, you would do the same thing".

The same feeling doesn't arise in cases like Kane's.

Yet most lottery winners end up bankrupt

 

[sharski]

put him on a line with couture and labanc and call it The $$$ Line

 

[Gecklund]

Yet most lottery winners end up bankrupt

But it COULDNT be me! I would NEVER end up bankrupt because I can tell you exactly how I’d act if I was put in a situation I’ve never been in and I had access to things I never had before! If I won’t the lottery I’d just buy everyone in my family their own house/car to give back to them and then use the rest to buy myself a house/car that I could never afford before!

 

[themelkman]

But it COULDNT be me! I would NEVER end up bankrupt because I can tell you exactly how I’d act if I was put in a situation I’ve never been in and I had access to things I never had before! If I won’t the lottery I’d just buy everyone in my family their own house/car to give back to them and then use the rest to buy myself a house/car that I could never afford before!

Some say the lottery is a tax on the stupid. Most people buying lottery are already not that smart so they are more likely to make bad financial choices

 

[Gecklund]

Some say the lottery is a tax on the stupid. Most people buying lottery are already not that smart so they are more likely to make bad financial choices

And what makes a hockey player so financially intelligent? I’m trying to find a way to phrase that question without it sounding so aggressive because it’s not meant to be calling you out or to imply that that’s what you’re saying. These kids are handed contracts of a million dollars a year (close to it) basically at 18.

 

[sharski]

how much do players give to the NHLPA for union dues?

i feel like that fee should include access to financial advisors

 

[themelkman]

And what makes a hockey player so financially intelligent? I’m trying to find a way to phrase that question without it sounding so aggressive because it’s not meant to be calling you out or to imply that that’s what you’re saying. These kids are handed contracts of a million dollars a year (close to it) basically at 18.

Oh Im with you. I think both can be prone to being awful with money. Cases of lucking out on money(NHL less so but still pretty lucky)

 

[TkachukMyAho]

Really too bad to read about this. He's got some demons for sure. He's still got some runway to right the ship, hopefully it's time to refocus and get back to work instead of letting the issues consume him. The sentiment on the main board is pretty disgusting overall, you'd never hope for someone to lose their lifelong work for whatever reason it may be.

 

[Gecklund]

how much do players give to the NHLPA for union dues?

i feel like that fee should include access to financial advisors

I agree but I think the idea is that you’ll be encouraged to pay for your own advisor but not required.

Oh Im with you. I think both can be prone to being awful with money. Cases of lucking out on money(NHL less so but still pretty lucky)

Yep it’s sad really. You take these kids right before college and tell them they don’t need to get an education because they’ll be getting paid to play hockey. These kids then get injured, don’t make it, have a short career, or even a long career and don’t really consider the expenses their lifestyle creates and get used to it. Then the income stops and they have no idea what to do. This isn’t even just hockey but sports in general.

Really too bad to read about this. He's got some demons for sure. He's still got some runway to right the ship, hopefully it's time to refocus and get back to work instead of letting the issues consume him. The sentiment on the main board is pretty disgusting overall, you'd never hope for someone to lose their lifelong work for whatever reason it may be.

The main boards are like a god damn plague. If they don’t like you (or even if they do), any small mistake will be amplified. It’s sad really. We put these athletes on such a high pedestal and then are so prepared to kick them as soon as they’re down.

 

[LadyStanley]

how much do players give to the NHLPA for union dues?

i feel like that fee should include access to financial advisors

The NHLPA offers rookies "life" teachings including finance. I do not know what financial expertise is offered through the union for older players. I do recall that the alumni association (and maybe a former player foundation or two) helps out with players looking to life transitions and retirement, including financial hurdles.

Many agents offer financial advice (or suggest financial advisors).

I was concerned after TC interviews/quick questions about who'd you like as a Secret Santa and Hertl was mentioned as he spends $$$$.

 

[weastern bias]

I just saw the bankruptcy news

This is really sad, the guy just signed a $49M contract 2 years ago

The only thing that may save him is he's just young enough to potentially get one more decent money deal at the end of this one, hopefully he turns things around enough to be able to secure his family's fortune by the end of his career

 

[Mattb124]

Some say the lottery is a tax on the stupid. Most people buying lottery are already not that smart so they are more likely to make bad financial choices

I heard it as a tax on people who are bad at math.

 

[DrFeelgood]

Pro sports needs to make financial advisors a mandatory thing, at least for rookies or something. This sort of thing is all too common.

 

[Church Hill]

Evander is a few months away from being a 30-year-old man. When do we start expecting personal responsibility?

 

[matt trick]

Say this about Kane, he hasn’t let his off-I’ve problems impact his on ice performance, but good lord. He’s got quite the battle ahead of him.

Trying to think if there is an athlete I’d relish seeing in this bad of a shape. The answer is unequivocally no. Feel pity for those who take join in Kane’s situation- whether it’s a bed he made for himself or not.

We’re definitely stuck with him. In terms on on-ice performance, his contract should end up being about okay, but I do wonder about how this will impact the broader team. Good luck Kaner and yikes...

 

[SupremeNachos]

how much do players give to the NHLPA for union dues?

i feel like that fee should include access to financial advisors

That only helps if the player accepts their offers.

 

[weastern bias]

Trying to think if there is an athlete I’d relish seeing in this bad of a shape.

Dustin Brown

 

[matt trick]

Dustin Brown

Good one. I hate Dustin Brown for the hit on Hertl, but wouldn't wish a gambling addiction on anyone.

 

[weastern bias]

Good one. I hate Dustin Brown for the hit on Hertl, but wouldn't wish a gambling addiction on anyone.

I can't say the things I wish for him without violating the site terms of service