FHN Today: Evander Kane, TV stuff and Panthers rookies in Tampa

Evander Kane spoke to the media for the first time since estranged wife Anna Kane accused him of gambling on San Jose Sharks games in an exclusive interview with Linda Cohn on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“I’m going to be exonerated of the allegations,” Kane said. “Incredibly false.”

Kane spoke of a number of things — including rumors that his Sharks teammates aren’t his biggest fans — all of which you can read at SanJoseHockeyNow.

Also in the news today: The NHL expects 99 percent of its players to be vaccinated by the time the season comes around, the national television schedule (in the US) has been released and the Florida Panthers rookies are in Tampa Bay getting ready for their three-game ‘showcase’ series against Nashville, Carolina and the host Lightning.

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

The Panthers have wrapped up the South Florida portion of development camp as their prospects have moved to the Tampa area where they’re scheduled to have a practice today.

On Saturday morning, the Panthers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first of three games in the Tampa Bay rookie showcase at the AdventHealth Center Ice facility in Wesley Chapel.

Florida and Carolina will kick things off at 10 a.m.

I am on my way to Tampa for the two weekend games (the Panthers also play Nashville on Sunday morning) and will have a story Saturday morning in which Gregory Campbell — remember him? — talks about Florida’s prospects and what he’s hoping these three games will do for them going into next week’s training camp.

In case you missed it, you can check out previous stories on Anton Lundell and Spencer Knight.

I also did a story on how a strong development camp could kickstart a push onto the opening night roster for players like Grigori Denisenko and Matt Kiersted.

— The Panthers were left off national TV by ABC/ESPN and TNT but eight games will be on ESPN+/Hulu and you’ll need a subscription to stream those games.

They will be exclusive games and not on Bally Sports. (FHN)

— More on Anton Lundell. (Miami Herald)

— Are the Panthers for real? (The Athletic)

— ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski has 10 NHL players you really want to take high in your fantasy draft. Spoiler: The captain of the Panthers is near the top of that list. (ESPN)

— For the third time, the Panthers will host the Amerigol International Hockey Association LATAM Cup at the IceDen.

This year’s Cup will feature 29 teams in five divisions (Men’s DI, DII, Women and Youth U16 & U12) representing Argentina, Brazil, Caribbean, Central American, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the USA. (Panthers.com)

AROUND THE NHL

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says he expects the league to have 99 percent of its players vaccinated by the time the 2021-22 season begins.

How did the NHL get there? (The Athletic)

— P.K. Subban says he hopes to educate audiences and spark conversation with the new docuseries, “Black Life: A Canadian History.” The New Jersey Devils defenseman is an executive producer on the eight-part project which will air on the CBC in 2023. (TSN)

— Chris Driedger and Alex Wennberg are finding out it was a lot cheaper to get a place in South Florida than it is in Seattle. (The Athletic)

— Driedger did get some cool new gear though …

New gear day 😁 @VaughnHockey pic.twitter.com/bCZmq5GRS7

— Chris Driedger (@ChrisDriedger) September 16, 2021

— The Panthers may not be on national TV, but the Penguins will be. (PittsburghHockeyNow)

— Bill Guerin is still working on getting Kirill Kaprizov signed. (TSN)

— Three burning questions facing the Islanders heading into training camp. (NYIHockeyNow)

— The Leafs and Sabres will play outdoors in Hamilton this season. (TSN)

— Vegas signed defenseman Dylan Coghlan and still has to fit in Nolan Patrick. (VegasHockeyNow)

— The Avs have some new road threads — with blue numbers! (ColoradoHockeyNow)

— Checking out the Capitals’ rookie camp roster. (WashingtonHockeyNow)

— William Eklund fell to the Sharks in the draft and is trying to make the team. That starts in Arizona at San Jose’s rookie tournament. (SJHN)

— The Canucks have a lot of good young players on their roster, but who is next? (VancouverHockeyNow)