Evander Kane: So talented and, at times, so careless.
The Buffalo Sabres star winger had been playing his best hockey of the season before he overslept and missed Monday’s practice. He has eight goals in his last 13 games and gamely recorded three fights last Tuesday against Florida’s Alex Petrovic.
“If you watch me play on the ice, I do take hockey seriously,” Kane told reporters in Ottawa Tuesday. “I think I can take it more seriously, and I think going forward you are going to see that out of myself. I spoke to members of the organization, and we all are on the same page moving forward. I’m happy with that, and I’m looking forward to putting this behind me and getting back on the ice.”
Kane, 24, showed up for the optional morning skate but will not dress for Tuesday’s game versus the Senators as punishment for breaking a team rule.
“First and foremost, I want to apologize to my teammates for letting them down,” Kane said. “Me missing practice yesterday was irresponsible, and I take full accountability for my actions with what happened.”
Until Kane called to say he’d miss Monday’s practice, coach Dan Bylsma was unaware the player had attended the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto Sunday night. The forward posted a photo of himself and his younger sister at the event on social media. According to the Buffalo News, Kane also posted (and later deleted) footage of his all-star partying on Snapchat.
“There were some things this weekend that shouldn’t have happened,” Kane said, regarding the topic of social media. “And as I just said, they won’t be happening again and I can assure you guys of that.”
Kane took a private jet to Toronto after scoring in Buffalo’s 4-1 matinee victory over the Colorado Avalanche. He called the team Monday to let the Sabres know he would miss practice.
“It’s a concern that he missed practice yesterday. It’s a concern he didn’t show up and he’s dealing with the consequences,” Bylsma told reporters. “We have rules, and he broke those rules. He’s going to deal with those consequences. He’s on the same leash everybody else is.”
Kane has 16 goals and eight assists in 47 games this season, his first with Buffalo. He is hopeful to return to the lineup Friday at Columbus.
