Evander Kane

Kane is usually one of fantasy hockey's most well-rounded players, but the specter of a gambling investigation lingers over him prior to the 2021-22 campaign. If the NHL's investigation reveals the winger bet on hockey games, there's no telling what punishment could follow. He's also become an unwelcome presence in the Sharks' locker room, which could lead to team chemistry issues. Kane has the potential for 50-to-60 points, 200-plus shots on goal, 150 hits and 100 PIM if he is able to play a full season, but investing anything more than a late-round flier on the 30-year-old will likely be too much of a risk for fantasy managers given the uncertainty in his future.

Kane is the rare fantasy unicorn who can rack up elite numbers in multiple categories across the board. He led the Sharks with 26 goals and the league with 122 penalty minutes in 2019-20, and for the fifth straight season finished with more than 200 shots and 100 hits. His bruising style was one of the few constants for the flailing Sharks and there was rarely a night he didn't appear on the score sheet. The question for Kane is his upside. At 29 years old, the aging curve for physical forwards isn't very kind, and there's no short-term fix for San Jose's current woes, capping their ability to improve the players around him. Nonetheless, Kane's versatility makes him a valuable fantasy asset and a great pick in the middle rounds.

Kane had one of his best seasons yet as a pro in 2018-19, matching his career highs in goals (30) and hits (173) while falling just one short of his career high in assists with 26. The 28-year-old winger also set a new career high in PIM with an absurd 153 in 75 games, which was far and away the most in the NHL last year. While that may not have made head coach Peter DeBoer particularly happy, it certainly pleased Kane's fantasy owners participating in leagues that count that category. In 2019-20, Kane should once again threaten the 30-goal mark while posting at least 55 points, 260 shots, triple-digit PIM and 160 hits, making him an elite option in leagues that reward the rough stuff.

Kane enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2017-18, totaling 29 goals and 54 points in 78 games split between the Sabres and Sharks after failing to eclipse the 45-point mark for five straight campaigns. The 27-year-old winger is now locked into his role as a member of San Jose's core group after signing a seven-year, $49 million contract extension with the Sharks in May. Kane's inconsistency is definitely something fantasy owners should take into account, but his 30-goal and 60-point upside make him a player that will be hard to pass up on draft day this season.

Kane’s blend of speed and size is terrifying for opponents, but his inability to stay healthy as well as off-ice issues have prevented him from reaching his full potential. He’s managed to play a full season just once in his career, and in two seasons with Buffalo, Kane has missed 27 games. When healthy, the 26-year-old is a high-volume shooter who can easily score 30 goals while dishing out hits on a consistent basis. There are very few players in the league who can do what Kane does, and the Sabres’ lack of depth on the left wing assures him a top-six role, either with Ryan O’Reilly or Jack Eichel. Though his future in Buffalo remains uncertain due to rumors of a potential trade, Kane will be a fantasy factor wherever he plays.

Despite missing a number of games due to injuries for the third straight season, Kane provided the Sabres with glimpses of his ability, racking up 20 goals, a team-leading 271 shots, and 91 penalty minutes in 65 games. That hardly lived up to Kane's big talk in the preseason, but there's still fantasy value to be found here. On the ice, the big power forward is a driving force because of his unique skill set; he finished second in average ice time among Buffalo forwards, trailing only linemate Ryan O’Reilly. Off the ice, Kane’s repeated brushes with the law may end up costing him games -- and maybe even a spot in the Sabres' long-term plans. He has no lack of ability, so Kane's future hinges on whether he can stay out of trouble and in good health; if the 25-year-old can find some more maturity, he's got a great shot at 30 goals.

Kane reputation is what it is -- the guy can only work to prove that there’s more to the man than the youthful mistakes he’s made. He’s coming into Buffalo with a burning desire to prove those detractors wrong, and he’ll be well equipped to do it. He’s a consistent scoring threat while on the ice because of that delicious combination of elite speed, physicality, and a rocket shot. Kane is coming off shoulder surgery, so it may take all of training camp for him to round into shape. But he can be a 50-plus point power winger who delivers 75 PIM and first-unit power-play production this season. He’ll probably start alongside Ryan O’Reilly, but don’t be surprised to see him develop chemistry with franchise center, Jack Eichel. Kane brings definite value in single-year formats, though dynasty owners need to grab the 24-year-old even earlier.

By all accounts, Kane’s 2013-14 campaign was a disappointment. The talented winger posted just 19 goals, 22 assists and 66 PIM in 63 games, and was even a healthy scratch a couple times throughout the year. Yes, he did have trouble battling through a hand injury, but the Jets and fantasy owners alike expected more out of Kane by this point. The former No. 4 overall pick is now 23 years old and after five full seasons in the NHL, he should be entering his prime production years, not trending downward. There’s been speculation that both he and the Jets may be unhappy with their current relationship, but fantasy owners will just have to accept him for what he is until the team pulls the trigger on a trade. He should line up next to Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler this season, giving him every opportunity to show why he’s still considered one of the elite scoring talents in the NHL, despite his recent lack of production. Fantasy owners should be careful not to reach for him in their drafts, but he certainly holds a lot of potential if he can be picked up in the right spot.

Although he had surgery on his foot in the offseason, Kane will be good to go for the 2013-14 season and will most likely start the year on the team's second line with Olli Jokinen and the newly-acquired Devin Setoguchi, who came from the Wild via trade. The former fourth overall pick showed once again last year that he has the skill and shooting ability to maintain a 30-goal pace, and given that he's now entering his prime, he should be able to pick his game up a notch, with 30+ goals and 60+ points now becoming more of an expected result rather than a mere hope.

Kane enters his fourth professional season with all the right kinds of momentum: 2012 saw No. 9 record his highest goals total so far in his young career with 30. He will likely be playing for a new contract and the 21-year old was able to finish the second half of last year injury-free after struggling with concussion symptoms in December and January. Though Kane has yet to fully realize his potential as a fourth-overall draft selection, the Vancouver native is trending in the right direction. Bump him up a few spots in keeper leagues, and his 53 penalty minutes make a nice bonus for those in leagues that reward sin bin points.

Kane posted 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points for a solid sophomore campaign last season. His minus-12 rating in 2010-11 was similar to that of the majority of Jets players and will probably improve this season. Kane's conditioning and talent mean the sky is the limit for him this year. Expect Kane to top 20 goals and 50 points in 2011-12. He's worth drafting once the proven stars have been chosen.

Posting 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in 66 games in his rookie season, Kane began his NHL career with a solid showing despite being just 19 years old. Thrashers coach John Anderson did provide Kane with an opportunity to play on the team’s top two lines and there’s no reason not to expect the same in Year 2. Although Kane is still likely a year or two away from a true breakout performance, his size and talent are capable of delivering and there is no doubt he has star potential. He will continue to improve as the team in Atlanta gets stronger, and if he can get closer to a full 82-game season than the 66 he played as a rookie, we could see Kane reach 20 goals and 30-40 points as a second-year player.

The Thrashers drafted Kane with the first-round, fourth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Kane, who is still 17, registered 96 points in 61 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western hockey league last season. He ranked second in goals overall with 48. Kane is a very talented young player who will make a definite impact in the NHL. It may not be this season due to his age and needs some seasoning, but with the Thrashers hurting for another offensive threat, he could be brought up mid to late season.