Evander Kane suspension: Where it ranks among the longest in Sharks history

MONTREAL — Sharks forward Evander Kane was given a 21-game suspension by the NHL on Monday for submitting a fake COVID-19 vaccination card.

But it is hardly the first suspension he’s had since he joined the Sharks in Feb. 2018.

In April 2018, he was suspended one game for cross-checking Pierre-Edouard Bellemare of the Vegas Golden Knights during the two team’s playoff series that year.

Before the start of the 2019-2020 season, Kane was suspended for violating Rule 40.4 (Physical Abuse of Officials) during a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

In Feb. 2020, he was suspended three games for elbowing Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets.

In Dec. 2014 as a member of the Jets, he was suspended two games for boarding Anaheim’s Clayton Stoner

Although not a comprehensive list, here are some of the more notable suspensions in Sharks’ history.

Oct. 5, 2016

Raffi Torres, 41 games: Torres was suspended for an illegal hit to the head on Anaheim’s Jakob Silfverberg, the longest ban for any Sharks player in the 25-year history of the franchise. Although he was eligible to return in January, Torres, a who had a history of suspensions, never played for the Sharks again, as a lingering knee injury kept him out for the remainder of the season.

March 25, 1997

Andrei Nazarov, 13 games (later reduced to six games): The NHL punished Nazarov for hitting linesman Brad Lazarowich on the side of the head as he grappled with the official in an attempt to fight Bryan Marchment, then with Edmonton, during a brawl. The next month, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reduced the suspension to six games, deciding that Nazarov’s contact with the linesman was not deliberate.

Feb. 9, 2001

Owen Nolan, 11 games: Nolan was suspended after he was assessed a match penalty for hitting Dallas Stars forward Grant Marshall earlier that month. Nolan and the Sharks appealed the suspension, but the punishment is upheld by Bettman.

Nov. 10, 2001

Bryan Marchment, six games: Marchment, no stranger to the principal’s office of the NHL, was suspended for elbowing Carolina Hurricanes forward Shane Willis in the head. Willis, who had a prior history with concussions, missed two games. Marchment os a scout and development coach with the Sharks.

May 16, 2013

Raffi Torres, six games: Torres was suspended for the remainder of the second round of the playoffs for a hit to the head against Los Angeles’ Jarret Stoll in Game 1 of that series. Torres had been penalized for charging on the play, but the NHL determined that his actions violated the illegal hit to the head rule. Torres did not appeal the suspension, which lasted six games as the Sharks lost to the Kings in seven. Shortly after the league’s punishment is announced, the NHL fines the Sharks $100,000 for general manager Doug Wilson’s critical statements regarding the suspension.

Dec. 23, 2014

John Scott, four games: Scott is suspended for punching an unsuspecting opponent, as he leveled Anaheim Ducks defenseman with the side of his right hand. Scott was not penalized on the play, but under further examination from the league, received the ban, which took into account Scott’s repeat offender status.