Follow @james_tanner123 There aren't many hockey markets more fishbowl-esque than Winnipeg and there aren't any that have such a small town mentality when it comes to their players.
Since the Jets have been back in the league its become clear that that market just can't handle a guy like Evander Kane. You think a guy with his skill and personality would be loved - except that in small-towns the world over, nothing is worse than a show-off, a guy who is cocky or a guy who doesn't think like you and doesn't care what you think.
I'm not saying Kane is a saint - but just that we shouldn't be so judgemental. I don't know him, but based on my experience with this type of thing, I can almost guarantee he isn't as bad as made out to be.
Say what you will about Evander Kane: Clearly he likes to embrace life as a pro athlete and clearly being one of the best in the world at something (something most people can't even imagine) has given him a an inflate ego.
But who cares?
My ego is hyper inflated and so is yours and the only difference is that no one follows us around with cameras asks us questions all the time.
I doubt Kane is a bad guy. He actually seems like a nice kid.
And this whole thing is embarrassing, if you want my opinion. Who cares if he takes hilarious social media pics or has fun or enjoys the finer things in life? He's a 23 year old millionaire and I can promise you he isn't the first or the last to be kind of immature when it comes to dealing with things most people can't even imagine: money, media, being a pro at 23 etc.
I think the harsh judgments against him are ridiculous. So what if he showed up to a team meeting in jogging pants? First world problems baby. This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard a big deal be made about - and his excuse was valid and understandable and it's only because its Evander Kane that a big deal is even made about it.
Besides, showing up to the rink in a suit is a dumb tradition - ties are for fat-cats and this is 2015 - can't we care about something that might matter in anyway at all?
Maybe it's because it didn't happen in Canada, but Slava Voynov and Semyon Varlamov have both been accused of domestic abuse and it seems Kane's choice of clothing is a bigger deal to some people and that is sad and pathetic.
And then there is bullying - a topic that is very much at the forefront of our social conversations these days: And Dustin Byfuglien dumping the kids clothes in the shower is an example of bullying and far worse of a crime than showing up to work violating the dress code.
If there is a jerk in this story, it isn't Kane.
Anyways, it is obvious that Kane can't play in Winnipeg anymore. It's obvious that he's got the talent to be a star and I bet his attitude and dressing room presence is more an issue of collective and cumulative events coalescing into problems specific to his current team in the way one of your siblings probably gets along fine with everyone in his life except their immediate family. I doubt it will be a problem on his next team.
I know a place where the players can walk the streets like normal people. I know a place where the players are barely even celebrities and less recognizable to the people of their city than High-School basketball players.
This place has a ton of pieces that could help a team on the verge of the playoffs like the Jets.
On top of which, trading for an injured player at a crazy time would get you a discount on the player and make the deal high-value. Also, since he wouldn't be able to help the team until next season, it's brilliant because the team will then fall in the standings and draft higher.
It's the perfect storm.
So Maloney should get on the phone and call up the Jets: he should offer them Antoine Vermette and then negotiate from there. Is Vermette going to get you Kane? Probably not even now, but remember, you're trading for a problem child with a bum knee and a bad shoulder who has not lived up to expectations. The Jets are not in good bargaining position and no matter what happens with Kane, a year from now people will write articles accusing them of sabotaging his value and mismanaging an asset - if they aren't already.
But Malone must strike now. There has never been a better time to get such a good player so cheaply. Kane will thrive in the desert where people are used to NFL and NBA stars who are way freer to act a little crazy than the ultra-conservative NHL. Arizona will appreciate Kane. Kane will appreciate Arizona.
Let's make it happen.