In an unexpected bombshell, the San Jose Sharks placed Evander Kane on unconditional waivers on Saturday afternoon — with the purpose of terminating his contract.

If Kane goes unclaimed (which will be known shortly after 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Sunday), the Sharks will be able to cancel the three-and-a-half years and about $24 million remaining on Kane’s deal. But that won’t be the end of the story.

The NHL is supporting the Sharks’ move, “satisfied the Club has sufficient grounds to effectuate a termination.” The NHLPA tweeted that it will “challenge any such action by filing a grievance.” Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, tweeted “the Sharks do not have sufficient grounds for taking this action.”

Kane was suspended the first 21 games of this season for COVID protocol violations — the use of a fake vaccination card.