Edmonton Oilers
‘Pure Narcissism’: Gabriel’s Scathing Review of Kane Could Sink His NHL Future
Evander Kane’s NHL future faces new doubt after Kurtis Gabriel’s explosive claims question his locker‑room impact and on‑ice value.
Evander Kane has always been one of the NHL’s most polarizing figures. His career started with Atlanta/Winnipeg and ended in a messy split. A move to Buffalo brought more turbulence, including an investigation stemming from an incident at a local bar. By 2018, as he approached unrestricted free agency, the Sabres moved on. Doug Wilson took a swing, betting Kane could fit into a strong San Jose Sharks locker room — and that gamble detonated spectacularly.
After a legal battle over his contract termination, Kane resurfaced with the Edmonton Oilers. And to his credit, this was the version of Kane people had been waiting to see. He was a positive presence, well‑liked in the room, active in the community, and genuinely embraced by the fanbase. Whether it was maturity, environment, or simply the right mix of personalities, Kane rebuilt his image in Edmonton.
His move to the Vancouver Canucks — a chance to play for his hometown team — didn’t follow the same script. Vancouver struggled badly, Kane’s season never really found traction, and he skipped postseason media availability entirely. It felt like a clean break, with Kane distancing himself from the club almost immediately.
Kurtis Gabriel Rips Kane
On a recent episode of the San Jose Hockey Now podcast with Sheng Peng, former Shark Kurtis Gabriel unloaded on Kane, calling him a terrible teammate and a major locker‑room problem during the 2020‑21 season — Kane’s final year in San Jose and the point where everything truly fell apart.
Gabriel didn’t mince words when describing Kane’s approach to team meetings:
“Every meeting, Evander Kane shows up late… we start the meeting, the door clicks open, here comes Evander, in his flip flops, in his tracksuit when we’re in suit and tie.”
He went further, calling Kane a bully who acted out because he was hurting, and said he often confronted Kane directly — something he felt helped, at least temporarily. Gabriel’s harshest criticism came when comparing Kane’s talent to his behaviour:
“It’s disgusting to me that a player can be talented and do that routinely, and still have a job… You can’t handle pure narcissism, and pure narcissism comes from pure insecurity.”
Peng added that he had never seen a player so effective on the ice while simultaneously being so unwanted by his own leadership group.
What Does This Mean for Kane Now?
Kane has shown he can be a good teammate and a productive player. He’s 35, coming off a 13‑goal, 31‑point season on a brutal Canucks team, and still brings physicality and edge — though the penalties remain an issue.
But stories like this don’t help. And when you’re slowing down, the margin for off‑ice headaches shrinks fast. NHL GMs will overlook a lot if the on‑ice value is undeniable. Kane’s value isn’t gone, but it’s no longer overwhelming enough to drown out the noise.
The place where he thrived most — Edmonton — doesn’t appear to be an option. The Oilers’ lineup is already crowded, and Kane no longer fits cleanly into a top‑six role. A bottom‑six spot doesn’t make sense either.
Someone will likely give Kane a chance, whether it’s a PTO or a short contract. But every new story, every resurfaced incident, adds another layer to a career that has followed him everywhere he’s gone. Kane’s talent has always been obvious. The question now is whether it’s still strong enough to outweigh everything else.
Next: Red Wings’ Monster Offer for Oilers’ Connor McDavid — Would You Accept?
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