Former Buffalo Sabres star 'very close' to signing KHL contract

The Buffalo Sabres' search for an offensive spark seemingly isn't going to include a reunion with winger Evander Kane, who made 196 appearances across three years in the organization (2015-18).

Dan Milstein, Kane's agent, confirmed on DFO Insider the 35-year-old Canadian forward is "very close" to finalizing an agreement with an unnamed KHL team is Russia:

Kane entered unrestricted free agency after scoring 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists) in 71 games last season as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, but couldn't find a new NHL home.

The enigmatic winger recorded 68 goals and 50 helpers during his time with the Sabres. He was one of the additions by former Sabres general manager Tim Murray as he (unsuccessfully) tried to build a winning roster around the tandem of Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.

Kane, who started his career with the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers, also made stops with the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers. He reached the 1,000-game plateau during the latter stages of last season with Vancouver, his hometown club.

The 6-foot-2 power forward never made much of a defensive impact, so it's not a major surprise he failed to land an NHL contract after his previously strong offensive contributions began to fade. He reached the 20-goal mark nine times.

Now he'll try to boost his stock with a standout campaign in the KHL, which could earn him another NHL opportunity next season as his career likely begins to wind down.

Evander Kane was never a realistic free-agent option for the Sabres

Buffalo is dealing with an early-season offensive collapse. It ranked fifth in goals scored per game last season (3.45) but has plummeted to 23rd in the category (2.93) through 15 outings in 2026-27.

A lot of players who've produced strong seasons for the Sabres in the recent past, led by Josh Norris, Ryan McLeod, Josh Doan and Jason Zucker, have been mostly invisible at the offensive end so far.

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has made an effort to bring in more star power. He targeted St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas at last season's trade deadline, Patrick Kane in free agency and Detroit Red Wings superstar Dylan Larkin most recently.

None of those pursuits have been successful, though. Add in the departure of Alex Tuch, a key cog in the Sabres' offensive machine over the past handful of years, and it just feels like a high-profile addition is necessary to provide a spark up front.

Kane wasn't the solution Buffalo's front office is looking for, though.

He's a defensive liability, his point production has steady declined aside from a modest bounce-back year with the Oilers in 2023-24 and he's never been viewed as a great locker-room influence.

The reality is the Sabres have plenty of depth forwards and, while many of them are underperforming at the moment, bringing in another middle- or bottom-six player isn't going to solve the problem.

Buffalo needs another high-end scorer to take some pressure off Tage Thompson, while also allowing the franchise's talented group of young forwards to build their confidence in slightly smaller roles.

Kekalainen's actions since taking over the front office last December indicate he realizes that, but eventually he's going to have to get a blockbuster trade (or signing) across the finish line.

Until then, the Sabres' offense may continue to sputter.

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