Sharks reportedly closing in on seven-year deal with Kane
Kane’s status was one of the biggest questions heading into this off-season for the Sharks, who were knocked out of the playoffs in six games in the second round against eventual Western Conference champion Vegas.
Star Joe Thornton is the other prominent potential free agent on the team but has said he’s willing to come back on a reduced one-year deal.
Kane had issues off the ice and with teammates at times in his stints with Winnipeg and Buffalo, but melded well with a veteran Sharks team and got the opportunity to go to the post-season for the first time in his career.
“He’s fit in well,” teammate Logan Couture said after the season ended. “You don’t listen to what people say about him before. Getting to know him over these last few months he’s a great teammate. He cares and he wants to win. He was fun to play with.”
Kane made an immediate impact in San Jose, stepping right onto the top line with captain Joe Pavelski and helping ease the loss of Thornton, who went down with a season-ending knee injury in January.
Kane used his speed and physical play to deliver nine goals and five assists in 17 games and spark an eight-game winning streak that sent San Jose to the playoffs.
Kane shined in the first round with three goals and an assist during a sweep against Anaheim. But he struggled a bit against the Golden Knights, slowed by injuries to his knee and shoulder that lingered from the end of the regular season.
He had one goal and a minusfive rating in five games against Vegas.
He missed Game 2 of that series when he was suspended for cross-checking Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.