Sharks leave Kane off opening roster

Beleaguered Evander Kane, the Sharks’ leading scorer last season, was omitted from the team’s season-opening roster released Monday.

Kane, 30, is considered a non-roster player pending completion of an NHL investigation that includes the possible use of a fake COVID-19 vaccination card among additional allegations of physical and sexual abuse made by his wife, Anna Kane, in a Santa Clara County court filing last month.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Athletic on Monday, “I do expect, obviously, there’ll be news vis-a-vis Evander Kane relatively soon. I don’t know whether that’s (Monday) or whether that’s later in this week, but that there should be news in the near future, for sure.”

Asked Sunday about Kane, Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said, “I have no information for you, I really don’t. I’d say no comment because I don’t know.”

By mutual agreement between the Sharks and Kane, he did not participate nor was he present for training camp or the team’s six-game preseason. Kane was cleared by the league last month of gambling accusations made by his estranged wife before new accusations came to light, sparking more investigations.

In the fourth year of a $49 million contract, Kane led San Jose with 22 goals and 49 points in 56 games last season. The previous season, the left wing led the team with 26 goals and finished with a runner-up total of 47 points.

The Sharks host Winnipeg on Saturday to open the regular season.

San Jose’s top draft pick in June, William Eklund, is among six rookies listed on the season-opening 23-man roster. Eklund, who turns 19 on Tuesday, led the Sharks with one goal and six points in the preseason.