The NHLPA has filed a grievance after Evander Kane's contract was officially terminated Sunday night, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman added on Monday that while Kane is now an unrestricted free agent, "ground rules need to be set on how that can unfold."
During Saturday night's 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman said that Kane would garner interest if he became a free agent.
"I do believe there's legit interest out there," said Friedman. "The league and players' association are going to have to get together a set system that this can happen because, in theory, if he were to win a grievance he would have two NHL contracts."
The Sharks placed Kane on unconditional waivers Saturday in order to terminate his contract, the 30-year-old then cleared on Sunday. San Jose cited "breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols."
During the 32 Thoughts segment on Saturday Friedman, broke down the Sharks' grounds behind the cited breach:
"With support of the National Hockey League, the Sharks are alleging that Kane, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 21, made a flight to Vancouver on December 29th and they are saying he did not have permission to take that flight, medical clearance to take it, and that is being disputed.
"Also they said he was supposed to return to San Jose, the Barracuda's of the AHL, on Dec. 31 and did not come back until Jan. 6, also that is being disputed."
Kane signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with San Jose in 2018.
The 30-year-old was suspended for the first 21 games of the season for using a fake vaccination card. San Jose place Kane on waivers in November and, after clearing, was re-assigned to the AHL's San Jose Barracuda.
Kane registered two goals and six assists in five games until he tested positive for COVID-19.
