Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane finds himself at the center of another NHL controversy, this time for skipping the traditional handshake line following his team’s Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers on June 17.
Kane, who was serving a 10-minute misconduct penalty when the game ended, missed the customary postgame sportsmanship gesture, drawing immediate criticism from media figures including Winnipeg radio host Jim Toth.
Evander Kane Responds to Criticism After Missing Stanley Cup Final Handshake
On the “Jets At Noon” podcast on 680 CJOB, hosts Cameron Poitras and Toth discussed Kane’s absence from the handshake line, with Toth particularly questioning Kane’s character.
During the broadcast, Toth shared an anecdote from Kane’s junior hockey days, claiming the forward once cut in line ahead of veteran teammates for a postgame meal during a Western Hockey League game in Cranbrook while playing for the Vancouver Giants. Toth used this unverified story to suggest a pattern between Kane’s alleged past behavior and his decision to skip the handshake line after the Stanley Cup Final.
Kane wasted no time responding to the accusations.
On Friday, June 20, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to categorically deny the story and publicly challenge Toth, labeling him a “liar and a hater.” Kane strongly refuted the anecdote and dismissed any suggestion that his absence from the handshake line was anything other than a result of being in the penalty box.
My goodness 😂 talk about fabricating
Here are 5 facts.
1. Never played in Kootenay(cranbrook) as a 15 year old or 16 year old as a rookie like you claimed I did.
2. Played 1 single game in Kootenay and it was in my last year of Junior.
3. I Won a memorial cup when I was… https://t.co/xsGuANsjnA
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) June 20, 2025
Kane’s penalty occurred with less than three minutes remaining in Game 6 after a heated confrontation with Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. The rivalry between the two players had been building throughout the series, beginning with their clash following Edmonton’s overtime victory in Game 1, and tensions finally boiled over in the series-deciding game.
Hockey fans on social media expressed divided opinions about Kane’s absence from the handshake line. Some sympathized with the disappointment of losing the Stanley Cup Final for a second consecutive year, understanding that emotions run high in such moments. Others criticized him for not finding a way to return for the traditional ceremony, regardless of the circumstances.
The incident has gained additional attention due to the off-ice war of words between Kane and Toth. The personal nature of Toth’s comments clearly struck a nerve with Kane, who felt compelled to defend his reputation and career by publicly discrediting the radio host’s claims.
The Oilers now enter the offseason facing questions about their future after falling short in consecutive Finals. With emotions still raw from their 5-1 defeat in Game 6 and another year of playoff experience under their belts, Edmonton remains determined to break Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought and capture the elusive championship that has escaped them since 1990.
