A Buffalo, New York, judge will dismiss all charges against Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane if he avoids legal issues for the next six months, according to the Associated Press.
Kane, 25, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, trespass and noncriminal harassment in July after getting into altercations with three separate women at the Bottoms Up nightclub in June, allegedly grabbing them by the hair and neck before being ejected by bouncers, per the AP.
A bouncer also claimed that Kane threatened to kill him, according to court documents obtained by 7 Eyewitness News.
Kane has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer maintained that the agreement with the judge was not an admission of guilt from his client.
The acting district attorney, Michael Flaherty, noted “he would not call Kane’s actions violent” from the incident in question and said that “Kane’s conduct was arrogant and surly, but admitted his actions did not meet requirements for criminal charges,” per Ed Drantch and Thuy Lan Nguyen of WKBW.com.
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Buffalo Sabres left winger Evander Kane left Thursday night’s season-opening game against the Montreal Canadiens late in the second period after falling hard into the boards and breaking multiple ribs. It is unclear when he will be able to return.
Continue for updates.
Latest on Kane’s Playing Status
Friday, Oct. 14
Kane will miss multiple weeks after suffering three cracked ribs, per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.
On Thursday, Sabres PR announced Kane was initially taken to the hospital “for further evaluation and precautionary measures.”
Injury Latest Setback in Kane’s Career
Kane is in his second season with the Sabres after a disappointing six-year stretch with the Winnipeg Jets.
The fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft recorded 20-plus goals in only one season, which came in the form of a 30-goal 2011-12 campaign.
While his production was inconsistent, attitude issues worsened his relationship with the Jets, forcing the team to trade him to the Sabres in February 2015 while he was on the injured reserve list because of a shoulder injury.
He missed the rest of the 2014-15 season but recorded 20 goals and 15 assists in 65 games for the Sabres last year.
Despite a change in scenery and a decent showing in terms of goal-scoring, off-ice issues followed Kane.
“Kane, 25, is charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass and five noncriminal charges of disorderly conduct and harassment in connection with encounters he allegedly had with female patrons and a bouncer at a Buffalo bar in June,” John Vogl of the Buffalo News wrote. “He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 31.”
The team has already lost second-year phenom Jack Eichel to a high-ankle sprain that’s expected to hold him out for six to eight weeks, according to NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin. Losing another prospective 20-goal scorer will further hurt Buffalo’s offense.
While Kane recovers, the Sabres could turn to second-line left winger Tyler Ennis to step up. After seasons with 20 and 21 goals, respectively, injuries limited the 27-year-old to three goals and eight assists in 23 games last year.
Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.
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Buffalo Sabres star center Jack Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain during practice Wednesday and had to be helped off the ice. It is uncertain when he will return to action.
Continue for updates.
Eichel Comments on Return Timeline
Friday, Oct. 14
Eichel told reporters that he didn’t want to rush back and have to sit out again. He added that he wants to make sure he’s 100 percent before returning.
Latest on Eichel’s Timeline for Return
Thursday, Oct. 13
Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Eichel is looking at a six- to eight-week recovery, according to Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com.
Head coach Dan Bylsma told reporters that Eichel has a “moderate” high ankle sprain and is out “certainly more weeks than days.”
Bob McKenzie of TSN reported Wednesday that Eichel is expected to miss at least four to six weeks, adding that it could be longer.
Eichel Leaves Practice After Scary Incident
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Tom Martin of WIVB noted that the whole team surrounded the center after he went down during the training session ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. John Vogl of the Buffalo News provided further details along with a look at Eichel on the ice:
Eichel Looking to Build on Stellar Rookie Season
Eichel represented the ultimate consolation prize for the Sabres after they lost the draft lottery last year, which sent fellow top prospect Connor McDavid to the Edmonton Oilers. Eichel ended up scoring 56 points in 81 games as a rookie and was expected to take a leap forward in his sophomore season.
With the Boston University product expected to miss time, it’ll likely lead to a more expanded role for Zemgus Girgensons. Eichel’s absence would also put more pressure on the Sabres’ secondary scoring contributors, a group that features Marcus Foligno and Brian Gionta, among others.
That said, the team’s offensive attack isn’t the same without Eichel’s combination of power and speed to create scoring chances. That was on full display when he missed a game during his first season with the flu.
An extended absence would be a massive blow to Buffalo’s playoff hopes, as the franchise was looking to turn the corner after an extensive rebuild.
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