Evander Kane's former teammate rips into him: 'Pure narcissism'
Evander Kane does not have an NHL contract heading into the season, but he’s still finding his way into the headlines.
There may not be a player in the league who brings as much controversy with him wherever he goes as the 35-year-old. He got into hot water with the Winnipeg Jets early in his NHL career, was basically kicked off the San Jose Sharks a few years back, and has continued to make noise for better or worse during recent stints with the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.
His locker-room presence has been widely talked about, but we seldom get specifics on what made him such a polarizing teammate behind closed doors. That changed on Sunday, as former NHL enforcer Kurtis Gabriel ripped Kane apart on an episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast with Sharks beat reporter Sheng Peng.
Gabriel briefly played with Kane on the Sharks during the 2020-21 season, and pointed out one thing that drove him wild while dealing with the Vancouver native.
“Every meeting, Evander Kane shows up late,” Gabriel said. “You’re always there 15 minutes… Every time almost, we start the meeting, the door clicks open, and here comes Evander in his flip-flops. In his tracksuit when we’re in suit and tie or whatever.
“I’d snap on him, because I’m not intimidated by him. He usually can intimidate and bully people cause he’s tough, and he can throw lefts and, you know, he’s a big boy. But he kinda is just the typical bully.”
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Kane was not well-liked by his teammates during his stint with the Sharks between 2017 and 2021. On the same episode, Peng pointed out that San Jose’s leadership group effectively forced Kane to be removed from the team.
This ultimately happened as the Sharks terminated Kane’s contract in 2022 after he allegedly violated COVID-19 protocols in both the NHL and AHL.
While Gabriel didn’t hold back in his criticisms of Kane’s behaviour, he also seemed to have a bit of empathy toward him as well. He mentioned that he would act out at times when he was hurting and felt like that may be what was happening with Kane at the time.
“You look him in the eye and say, ‘That’s garbage, you’re not pulling that crap anymore,’ he just stares at you and walks away, because what he is going to do?” Gabriel said. “It’s disgusting to me that a player can be talented and do that routinely and still have a job.
“It just blows my mind, because something like that completely alters the locker room… Someone like that kiboshes the whole mentality of the locker room… You can’t handle pure narcissism.”
Kane posted to X what appears to be a response to Gabriel’s criticisms on Monday afternoon, although he kept it fairly vague, insinuating that the stories about him are not fully true.
“Can’t wait for the day I decide to share ‘my truths.’ The only difference? Mine will come with facts, receipts, and the actual truth,” Kane wrote. “For now, I’ll simply say this: a lot of people have become far too comfortable speaking publicly while relying on my silence. Enjoy it while it lasts.
“When the time is right, everything will speak for itself.”
I can’t wait for the day I decide to share “my truths.” The only difference? Mine will come with facts, receipts, and the actual truth.
For now, I’ll simply say this: a lot of people have become far too comfortable speaking publicly while relying on my silence. Enjoy it while it…
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) August 31, 2026
Gabriel only played 11 games with the Sharks and was forced to retire in 2022 at the age of 29 due to a nagging wrist injury. He ended his NHL career with two goals, five points, and 153 penalty minutes through 51 games.