Since arriving in Winnipeg in 2009, Jets forward Evander Kane has been the subject of numerous mini-controversies. Whether it's not paying for his meals, failing to pay traffic tickets, or making ill-advised Tweets, the ride has not been smooth for the Jets and their talented young winger.
Evander Kane calls out Claude Noel for benching
Kane was benched when he was healthy, and he wasn’t happy about it.
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
It got bumpier on Friday when Kane called out coach Claude Noel for benching him on Wednesday.
Kane was injured a week ago and held out of Monday’s game, but traveled and practiced with the Jets before their game in Chicago on Wednesday. Kane said he was ready to hit the ice, but Noel decided that he wasn’t healthy enough to play against the Blackhawks.
On Friday, Kane said “obviously that feeling wasn’t mutual.“
“I don’t know what that meant,” he said. “The definition of a healthy scratch is a healthy player not playing so that was my interpretation, and it’s pretty obvious that’s what it was.”
Kane also said that he disagreed with the notion that the team was taking his long-term health into consideration. Noel said he respected Kane’s opinion, but continued to insist he was merely looking out for him.
If Noel was sending a message, it certainly would be warranted. The 22-year-old, in the first year of a six-year, $31.5 million contract, has just 10 points in 15 games this season. Though he did register an assist on Friday, those aren’t great numbers considering how much he’s being paid.
When asked about his relationship with Noel, Kane simply said he “wouldn’t get into it.”
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