Roster review #9 Evander Kane

dudacek · August 20, 2015

Next up, one of the key new faces

#9 Evander Kane LW (three seasons left at $5.25 million per, age 24)

Winnipeg 37/10/12/22/-1/56

Evander Kane is a great skater — strong and fast. He’s also tough as nails, can shoot bullets, plays in all situations and is as competitive as it gets. His analytics show an excellent puck possession player, who generates an elite number of scoring chances and scores in the upper echelon of the league in goals per 60 minutes, all while playing against tough competition.

Despite the numbers, he couldn’t establish himself as a first-line winger for an average Jets team, alienated some fans and teammates with a perceived self-absorbed attitude partly generated by his social media feed and ended up being dumped by the franchise that drafted him fourth overall.

Injuries have limited him to 29 goals combined over the past two seasons and he slipped down the Jets depth chart before tracksuitgate ended his Jets career. But he is healed and expectations created by the price paid in this spring’s blockbuster trade are that he should match that total this season alone.

Unlike in Winnipeg, Kane will be expected to be this team’s first-line winger from the drop of the puck and asked to be a leader. Will he benefit from the fresh start, or will he prove the naysayers right via personality implosion? Few Sabres will be watched more closely this year.

Links to the rest of the series:

Mike Weber: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23569-roster-review-6-mike-weber/

3putt · August 20, 2015

I am as excited to see Kane play on the first line as I am to see Jack and Samson contribute at the NHL level. I believe the play of these three in particular is a great barometer of our future potential.

qwksndmonster · August 20, 2015

I'm Samson and Eichel are as good as we hope, Evander is going to establish himself as one of the league's premier power forwards. Remember how good Crosby made Chris freakin' Kunitz look? (hi GoDD)

Edited August 20, 2015 by immerman

dudacek · August 21, 2015

I know no one is interested in talking hockey right now, but I would really like to see what Sabrespacers expectations are for Kane.

I think he will keep his nose clean and play good hockey, might even lead the team in scoring, but won't be "dominant" enough to make fans fall in love with him. What we've seen is what we'll get.

That why I picked option two.

darksabre · August 21, 2015

I want him to be the glue that binds. The soul of the team.

Taro T · August 21, 2015

I know no one is interested in talking hockey right now, but I would really like to see what Sabrespacers expectations are for Kane.

I think he will keep his nose clean and play good hockey, might even lead the team in scoring, but won't be "dominant" enough to make fans fall in love with him. What we've seen is what we'll get.

That why I picked option two.

Wouldn't surprise me to see options 1&2 both true.

Once the kids get their legs under them, I am expecting him to consistently get 30 goals w/ the talent he'll be playing with.

dudacek · August 21, 2015

I want him to be the glue that binds. The soul of the team.

Like Peca, or Neely?

Why hasn't he shown it yet?

darksabre · August 21, 2015

Like Peca, or Neely?

Why hasn't he shown it yet?

I've made my case before that Winnipeg has locker room problems. I think Byfuglien is a cancer. And I think Kane was stifled by the other big egos filling the space. I think he turns out to be a better leader than a lot of people expect in a situation where his mentors are guys like Moulson and Gionta.

Taro T · August 21, 2015

I've made my case before that Winnipeg has locker room problems. I think Byfuglien is a cancer. And I think Kane was stifled by the other big egos filling the space. I think he turns out to be a better leader than a lot of people expect in a situation where his mentors are guys like Moulson and Gionta.

Dustin Byfuglien hates black people. :p

nfreeman · August 21, 2015

I know no one is interested in talking hockey right now, but I would really like to see what Sabrespacers expectations are for Kane.

I think he will keep his nose clean and play good hockey, might even lead the team in scoring, but won't be "dominant" enough to make fans fall in love with him. What we've seen is what we'll get.

That why I picked option two.

Some people will doubtless be put off by the inevitable flashy displays (off-ice), but we are so starved for competitiveness, speed and scoring, and he has those qualities in high volume, and I think/hope that he is so raring to go, that we might, maybe, maybe, get the perfect storm and he might turn into the prince of the city.

What if he bursts out of the gate with 14 goals in his first 25 games and beats someone taking a cheap shot at Eichel to a bloody pulp?

They won't be able to keep his jerseys on the shelf, that's what.

It could happen.

dudacek · August 21, 2015

I've made my case before that Winnipeg has locker room problems. I think Byfuglien is a cancer. And I think Kane was stifled by the other big egos filling the space. I think he turns out to be a better leader than a lot of people expect in a situation where his mentors are guys like Moulson and Gionta.

Some people will doubtless be put off by the inevitable flashy displays (off-ice), but we are so starved for competitiveness, speed and scoring, and he has those qualities in high volume, and I think/hope that he is so raring to go, that we might, maybe, maybe, get the perfect storm and he might turn into the prince of the city.

What if he bursts out of the gate with 14 goals in his first 25 games and beats someone taking a cheap shot at Eichel to a bloody pulp?

They won't be able to keep his jerseys on the shelf, that's what.

It could happen.

God I hope you guys are right. The potential is there that you could be.

I think Buffalo is just itching for a swashbuckling hard-nosed stud.

If he produces he could own this town forever.

... · August 21, 2015

I think, on the low side, he shows he's maturing and working toward becoming a leader. He will try hard this season regardless of whether or not he figures out his leadership role.

On the high side, he's chomping at the bit already, and will come out of the gate with a chip on his shoulder, showing the rest of the NHL what he can bring to the game, and giving the team that wanted him here everything they could ask for.

I already see his leadership potential; let's not forget he was around for every major Sabres event despite being injured and more than likely not required, or asked, to be around. To me, that kind of loyalty to his team off ice can translate into larger and greater things on ice.

Don't disappoint us, Evander, we've been waiting on "the concept of Evander" for a long time now.

Huckleberry · August 21, 2015

I think the fans will love him , scores goals, will fight, and works hard. But still think we'll want more out of him though.

LGR4GM · August 21, 2015

Kane is a wild card because we don't know what we are actually getting. His shoulder surgery changes the player from what he was when he played injured and he will also have better centers. I think he can put it all together, his mindset seems right but I wonder if he starts slow and then around january we really see him start to excel. I think the entire team might start a little slow and then ramp it up as they get comfortable.

shrader · August 21, 2015

I think, on the low side, he shows he's maturing and working toward becoming a leader. He will try hard this season regardless of whether or not he figures out his leadership role.

On the high side, he's chomping at the bit already, and will come out of the gate with a chip on his shoulder, showing the rest of the NHL what he can bring to the game, and giving the team that wanted him here everything they could ask for.

I already see his leadership potential; let's not forget he was around for every major Sabres event despite being injured and more than likely not required, or asked, to be around. To me, that kind of loyalty to his team off ice can translate into larger and greater things on ice.

Don't disappoint us, Evander, we've been waiting on "the concept of Evander" for a long time now.

It's amazing what can happen to a person when they know they're wanted. And it really has very little to do with what went on in Winnipeg. That trade made it obvious to Kane that he is wanted here and it does seem to have had that positive impact on him so far. Hopefully that will now translate from off the ice to on it.

Rasmus_ · August 21, 2015

I see him as long as he finds chemistry with ROR or Eichel to be an entrenched 1st line caliber player from now going forward. He has all the ability as long as he stays healthy and finds the right chemistry with his line mates. He is too talented otherwise.

Sabres Fan in NS · August 21, 2015

The Sabres have needed a player like Evander Kane since Peca was run out if town ... yet another black eye for this organization.

I think he will be our Cam Neely, although (I hope) healthier.

DirtDart · August 21, 2015

I know no one is interested in talking hockey right now, but I would really like to see what Sabrespacers expectations are for Kane.

I think he will keep his nose clean and play good hockey, might even lead the team in scoring, but won't be "dominant" enough to make fans fall in love with him. What we've seen is what we'll get.

That why I picked option two.

I certainly am. TBDs posters are disillusioned, tired of talking why Taylor , should start over EJ or vice versa. OH, went option 1....

Edited August 21, 2015 by DirtDart

TrueBlueGED · August 21, 2015

I went with option #2, not because I think he'll play below a first line level, but because I think most fans still have unrealistic expectations for what the production of a first line player looks like in today's NHL. I think he's good for 25-30 goals and another 25-30 assists for around 55 points. That could go higher if he stays fully healthy, but I expect him to miss around 10 games, give or take a couple. That is first line production, but I'm fairly confident there will be plenty of fans who find it disappointing.

Randall Flagg · August 21, 2015

Ducky doesn't come around too often, which makes sense as it's August and he's a Jets fan, and I found this Jets fan's perspective over in a thread on hfboards:

"Kane is a well above average 2L and slightly below average 1L.

He pushes the play very well, unlike Myers or Bogosian or Stafford.

He is a volume shooter, not a sniper, which makes people grumpy on him. Expect him to score in similar fashion and pace on 5v5 as Vrbatta, Ovechkin, Neal, Hornqvist.
It's not pretty but he gets the job done.

Because of his high shot volume, people think he misses the net a lot. He does, in aggregate, but per attempt is quite normal.

He does not pass well or look to make his teammates better, but his teammates do better with him than without. Just look at Kyle Wellwood who thought "wait I should get ready for a rebound from Kane" and then scored a TONNE of points (paced per minute well above 1st line rates). If you have a player with him smart enough to do that, then super bonus.

He's not very smart player on the power play, but still does above average for PP2 option.

In short, people tend to have very mixed opinions on him.
It's because he gets the results, but doesn't do it the way people like to see.

If you care more about results, he's the best player in the trade.
If you care more about how a player gets results, you will get frustrated.

Play him on 1L, 2PP, 1PK, and he'll get you what you need."

here's a link for that quote (I stole it from someone who stole it ehehe): http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=1832325&page=12

darksabre · August 21, 2015

Ducky doesn't come around too often, which makes sense as it's August and he's a Jets fan, and I found this Jets fan's perspective over in a thread on hfboards:

"Kane is a well above average 2L and slightly below average 1L.

He pushes the play very well, unlike Myers or Bogosian or Stafford.

He is a volume shooter, not a sniper, which makes people grumpy on him. Expect him to score in similar fashion and pace on 5v5 as Vrbatta, Ovechkin, Neal, Hornqvist.

It's not pretty but he gets the job done.

Because of his high shot volume, people think he misses the net a lot. He does, in aggregate, but per attempt is quite normal.

He does not pass well or look to make his teammates better, but his teammates do better with him than without. Just look at Kyle Wellwood who thought "wait I should get ready for a rebound from Kane" and then scored a TONNE of points (paced per minute well above 1st line rates). If you have a player with him smart enough to do that, then super bonus.

He's not very smart player on the power play, but still does above average for PP2 option.

In short, people tend to have very mixed opinions on him.

It's because he gets the results, but doesn't do it the way people like to see.

If you care more about results, he's the best player in the trade.

If you care more about how a player gets results, you will get frustrated.

Play him on 1L, 2PP, 1PK, and he'll get you what you need."

here's a link for that quote (I stole it from someone who stole it ehehe): http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=1832325&page=12

Taking his word for it, I'm pretty sure I don't care how he scores as long as he scores when it matters.

shrader · August 21, 2015

He is a volume shooter, not a sniper, which makes people grumpy on him. Expect him to score in similar fashion and pace on 5v5 as Vrbatta, Ovechkin, Neal, Hornqvist.

It's not pretty but he gets the job done.

I'm sure there's some crazy stat behind it, but man, one of these things is not like the other.

3putt · August 21, 2015

I had the surgery Kane had. When I first injured my shoulder, it wasn't debilitating but initially painful and gradually just chronically uncomfortable and painful. I thought it would work itself out or I could rehab it on my own. Then it got worse to the point that it would be excruciating or my arm and fingers would go completely numb. Apologies for the long winded intro but in my case I noticed an impact on my ability to do almost anything athletic or physical and it got progressively worse. I had my bicep tendon severed and reattached in another area and had my labrum partially removed. after rehab the results were night and day. I raise this because I think some of the recent issues with Kane appear as a result from him trying to fight through something that needed a medical solution. If he is back to normal I am discounting the recent WPeg years and expect ability and commensurate production from his ATL days.

Sabresince70 · August 21, 2015

God I hope you guys are right. The potential is there that you could be.

I think Buffalo is just itching for a swashbuckling hard-nosed stud.

If he produces he could own this town forever.

Great book!

ubkev · August 21, 2015

I'm sure there's some crazy stat behind it, but man, one of these things is not like the other.

Shot in the dark here, but I think Ovi might score 99% of his goals making one-timers rain on the goal from the left circle on the power play. He is a true monster from that spot.

Roster review #9 Evander Kane

Evander Kane 44 members have voted

1. How do you think Evander Kane's career will play out in Buffalo?

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Evander Kane
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