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The San Jose Sharks have placed forward Evander Kane on waivers on Sunday and plan to send him to the AHL if he isn't claimed by another team. Kane's 21-game suspension for submitting a fake vaccination card is set to expire after the Sharks play the Blackhawks on Sunday night.
Kane has also switched agents recently. The winger now represented by Dan Milstein of Gold Star Sports, Milstein confirmed to ESPN on Sunday. According to sources, Milstein is calling other teams on Kane's behalf, trying to help facilitate a trade for his new client. Sources tell ESPN that the Sharks are willing to retain some of Kane's $7 million annual salary, but it will still be a tough market. Milstein declined to comment on any trade talks.
The Sharks say that Kane is now fully vaccinated. If Kane clears waivers, he is expected to report to the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL on Tuesday. It is uncertain when Kane will be ready to play, assistant GM Joe Will told reporters on Sunday.
Will, filling in while general manager Doug Wilson is on medical leave, said that putting Kane on waivers gives the team flexibility before determining what it wants to do with Kane going forward.
Kane, 30, is three seasons into a $49 million, seven-year contract. He's with his third organization after being drafted by and debuting with Atlanta/Winnipeg, and a stint in Buffalo. Last season, he had 22 goals and 27 assists in 56 games.
At the time of Kane's suspension, the NHL was also investigating allegations of domestic assault made by his estranged wife, Anna Kane, in a recent divorce filing. In announcing the 21-game suspension, the NHL said that "its concurrent investigation into allegations of domestic abuse made against Kane by his estranged wife, [Anna], could not be substantiated."
Kane also was accused by Anna Kane of betting on NHL games, including his own games with the Sharks, whose outcomes she claimed he intentionally sought to influence for his benefit. The NHL investigated the claims and cleared Kane, saying it found no evidence that he bet on hockey.
Amid the investigations, Kane -- even before the suspension -- was told by the Sharks not to report to training camp. Sources tell ESPN that multiple players in the Sharks locker room do not want Kane to return to the team. Kane did not practice with the team or interact with teammates at the facility during his 21-game suspension.
The Montreal Canadiens made sweeping changes to their front office on Sunday, firing general manager and executive vice president Marc Bergevin and assistant general manager Trevor Timmins, as well as senior vice president of public affairs and communications Paul Wilson.
Former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton has been hired to serve as executive vice president of hockey operations. Gorton was with the Rangers from 2015 up until being replaced by Chris Drury last May.
Bergevin had been general manager in Montreal since 2012 and was in the final year of his contract with the Canadiens. Montreal had tried negotiating an extension with Bergevin last summer but never came to an agreement.
The Canadians said via press release that a process is underway to recruit "as soon as possible" a new general manager for the club. While that successful candidate will bring "significant expertise to the organization," Montreal also specified its next GM will be able to "communicate with fans in both French and English."
In a statement released by the team, Canadiens owner Geoff Molson thanked Bergevin, Timmins and Wilson for their "passion and engagement" over the years.
"We wish them all the success they deserve in the pursuit of their careers," Molson said. "I think, however, that the time has come for a leadership change within our hockey operations department that will bring a new vision and should allow our fans and partners to continue cheering for a championship team."
The Canadiens' overhaul began on Saturday night when assistant general manager Scott Mellanby announced his resignation. Mellanby started with Montreal as director of player personnel in 2012 before being promoted to assistant GM by Bergevin in 2014.
TSN reported Saturday that Mellanby had been in talks with Molson about becoming Montreal's next general manager. When told he was out of the running for that position, Mellanby opted to leave the organization.
This has been a historically bad season for Montreal all around. The Canadiens are off to their worst start in franchise history, earning only 12 points in their first 22 games and sitting at 6-15-2.
Montreal was, only months ago, a true Cinderella story. The team barely squeaked into the postseason before driving all the way to a Stanley Cup Final berth against Tampa Bay. The Canadiens ultimately fell in that series, and they've been tumbling ever since.
This season, Montreal is second in goals against (3.61 per game), 30th on the power play (12.9%) and 28th in goals for (2.35). Not only has its play on the ice been abysmal, but the Canadiens are still reeling from major losses they haven't been able to overcome.
Captain Shea Weber has been unavailable all season and remains out indefinitely (and potentially for good) due to injury. Goaltender Carey Price was absent to start this season while enrolled in the NHL/NHLPA's player assistance program to address substance abuse issues; he has since returned to the team following a 30-day treatment but is still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery and has not played a game.
The Canadiens are back in action on Monday against the last-place Vancouver Canucks, perhaps the only team currently in as much turmoil as they are.
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick said he was leaving Stamford Bridge disappointed after his side were pegged back by Chelsea in a 1-1 draw for his first and perhaps last Premier League game in charge.
"At the moment we're feeling a little bit frustrated and disappointed really," Carrick told reporters. "Being in front and suffering from a penalty that I don't think was a penalty is disappointment."
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Jadon Sancho scored a breakaway goal in the 50th minute, setting United on course for their second win in two games under Carrick, who steered them to a 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal in midweek after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
But Chelsea -- who dominated the match -- drew level 19 minutes later when Jorginho, who was at fault for United's opener, converted a penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was adjudged to have fouled Thiago Silva.
Carrick said he did not know if he would still be in charge on Thursday when Manchester United host Arsenal or whether Ralf Rangnick, who is due to take over as interim manager until the end of the season, will have arrived at Old Trafford by then.
"As of now I haven't got any more news for you," Carrick, a former United midfielder said. "I was purely focused on the game. I am sure I will be updated and then see what happens in the next few days."
Asked if his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench was something suggested by Rangnick ahead of his arrival in Manchester, Carrick was blunt: "That's not the case."
Speaking to RMC Sport, Eric Bailly said the team were focusing on working with Carrick.
"We were told in the dressing room that a new manager was coming," he said. "We are working hard for now with Carrick and then we will see."
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Scuffling Cam benched by Panthers vs. Miami
MIAMI -- Cam Newton's storybook beginning to his second stint with the Panthers came to a crashing halt Sunday when he was benched in the fourth quarter of Carolina's 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Newton was replaced by P.J. Walker with just over 10 minutes remaining and the Panthers trailing by 20.
Newton completed 5 of 21 pass attempts for 92 yards with two interceptions for a passer rating of 5.8. His 23.8 completion percentage was the worst by a player with 20-plus attempts since 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Detroit's Joey Harrington completed 22.7% against Green Bay that year.
Newton's poor performance came less than three weeks after he was signed to a one-year deal that could pay him up to $10 million for the rest of the season if he meets incentives. He scored the first two times he touched the ball in relief of Walker in a win at Arizona four days after rejoining the team that made him the top pick of the 2011 draft.
He had two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in last week's loss to Washington.
It all fell apart on Sunday after Newton scored on a 1-yard run that made it 7-7.
Riley leaving Oklahoma for USC, sources say
Lincoln Riley said he wasn't leaving Oklahoma for LSU.
He didn't say he wasn't leaving the Sooners for USC.
In a stunning move on Sunday, Riley, 38, accepted the head-coaching position at USC, according to ESPN and multiple reports. He replaces former Trojans coach Clay Helton, who was fired in September after posting a 46-24 record in seven seasons.
Riley guided the Sooners to four consecutive Big 12 titles and three College Football Playoff appearances in his first four seasons. Oklahoma was eliminated from the Big 12 championship game following a 37-33 loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday night.
Following the Bedlam loss, after there was widespread speculation that he was LSU's choice to replace the departing Ed Orgeron, Riley said, "I'm not going to be the next head coach at LSU."
It's a big blow to the Sooners, who are about to transition into the SEC. Riley had a 55-10 record in five seasons, including a 37-7 mark in the Big 12.
Sources: Wall, Rockets brass meet about return
Houston Rockets guard John Wall met with general manager Rafael Stone and coach Stephen Silas on Sunday to reiterate his desire to return to the lineup in a feature role -- an idea that team officials continue to be reluctant to accept in a possible return to play, sources told ESPN.
The Rockets have wanted Wall to accept a complementary role to its young players to play on this team, and the five-time All-Star guard's unwillingness to do so continues to be a hurdle for the sides in a possible return to play this season, sources said.
There is still room for conversation and circumstances to change in this ongoing saga, and the sides will continue to talk as the season unfolds. Wall has wanted to be a starter again, but perhaps a role similar to that of Derrick Rose on the New York Knicks that includes meaningful minutes off the bench could ultimately appeal to him.
The Rockets are building around No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green and third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr., but injuries could dictate a larger opportunity for Wall at some point in the season.
These differences played a part in Wall and the Rockets deciding in the preseason to keep him inactive to start the season -- with hope that an eventual trade could free him to play elsewhere, sources said. Wall's massive contract -- two years, $91 million -- has made a trade extremely difficult, and Wall approached Stone on Friday about revisiting the idea of his rejoining the lineup, sources said.
Wall, 31, has been working out with the team and would likely need to ramp up his activity significantly over a two-plus-week period to be ready to start playing. He played 40 games for the Rockets a season ago after arriving from Washington in a trade for Russell Westbrook. Wall has recovered from an Achilles injury that cost him a season-plus of his career in Washington, but didn't show he could still play at an All-Star level a season ago.
Numerous contending teams have interest in Wall as a part of a backcourt rotation, but his player option of $47 million for 2022-2023 makes it nearly impossible to incorporate him into a team.
The Rockets (3-16) have won two straight games for the first time this season.
Source: Cousins to sign one-year deal with Bucks
Free-agent center DeMarcus Cousins plans to sign a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, a source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday.
Cousins played in 41 games combined last season for the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets, the most games he has played since he played 48 games for the New Orleans Pelicans before rupturing his Achilles in January of 2018.
Center fielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a seven-year, $100 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Buxton received a full no-trade clause in the deal and will be paid $500,000 every time he reaches 502, 533, 567, 600 and 625 plate appearances, the sources said.
He also has MVP bonuses in each year of the deal: $8 million for finishing first, $7 million for finishing second, $6 million for third, $5 million for fourth, $4 million for fifth and $3 million for finishing in sixth through 10th place, the sources said.
He had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 season.
Buxton set career bests last season with a .306 batting average and 19 home runs but was limited to 65 games because of injuries.
Because of various injuries, he has played in more than 100 games just once in his career, in 2017 when he appeared in 140 games and won his only Gold Glove Award. That was also the only season he has reached more than 500 plate appearances (511).
For his career, Buxton has a .248 average, 70 home runs and 204 RBIs in seven seasons, all with the Twins.