Evander Kane to be investigated on claim he bet on NHL games

The NHL said in a statement Saturday that it plans to investigate an allegation that Sharks winger Evander Kane gambled on NHL games.

The League was made aware this evening of a post on social media alleging that San Jose Sharks Player Evander Kane bet on NHL games. The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously. (1/2)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 31, 2021

We intend to conduct a full investigation and will have no further comment at this time. (2/2)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 31, 2021

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Shortly after the league’s announcement, the Sharks issued a statement to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz, saying they support a "full and transparent investigation."

From Sharks: "The Sharks have been in contact today with the (NHL) about the serious allegations made against Evander Kane. We support a full and transparent investigation into the situation to maintain the integrity of the game and consistency with our team values.”
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) July 31, 2021

The allegation came to light earlier Saturday, when an unverified Instagram account attributed to Kane's wife, Anna, claimed in a post that he had left her and their two young children to go on a vacation in Europe while their home was being taken by a bank. In a subsequent post, Anna Kane tagged the NHL and told the league to ask commissioner Gary Bettman how he can let a player bet "on his own games."

Anna Kane, wife of San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, has posted some damning stuff on her Instagram. This includes a question to Gary Bettman on “how they can let a player gamble on his own games?” pic.twitter.com/lKGYKWt6bF
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) July 31, 2021

Kane, 29, has played four seasons with the Sharks and 12 total seasons in the NHL, also spending time with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres. He’s entering the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract he signed with San Jose in 2018.

In November 2019, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that The Cosmopolitan was suing Kane for $500,000 in unpaid gambling markers that were extended to him beginning in April of that year. Court documents showed in April 2020 that The Cosmopolitan dropped the lawsuit against Kane, though a reason wasn’t given.

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In January, The Athletic’s Dan Kaplan reported that Kane had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and claimed nearly $27 million in debt, including $1.5 million in gambling losses over the preceding 12 months. Kaplan reported that Kane was facing six active "lawsuits, court actions and administrative proceedings with lenders," and confirmed reporting by San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng that a lawsuit had been filed by Centennial Bank in federal court in Florida seeking $8.3 million from Kane and the Sharks.

In the bankruptcy filing, Kane listed $26.8 million in liabilities and $10.2 million in assets, while listing seven dependents.