Sabres' Evander Kane Pleads Not Guilty

By ESPN

Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane pleaded not guilty Monday to charges alleging he grabbed three women during an altercation at a downtown bar in June.

Kane didn't speak as his attorney entered the plea for him in Buffalo City Court during the brief appearance. Judge Barbara Johnson-Lee scheduled his next court date for Sept. 9.

Kane, who turns 25 Tuesday, was arrested July 22 after turning himself in to police. He was charged with non-criminal harassment, disorderly conduct and trespass and was released after being processed.

The charges stem from an alleged incident that occurred early on June 24 at Bottoms Up, a nightclub in Buffalo's popular Chippewa Street entertainment district. Three women said they were grabbed by Kane inside the bar. A male bar employee said he also had a run-in with the NHL player.

His lawyer, Paul Cambria, has questioned why Kane was charged with trespassing when he was invited to the bar by its owner. Cambria called the allegations "extremely exaggerated" while saying his client "denies strenuously any wrongdoing."

Coyotes Place Vermette On Waivers

The Arizona Coyotes placed veteran center Antoine Vermette on unconditional waivers Monday and will buy out the remaining $3.75 million on his contract.

According to generalfanager.com, Vermette's buyout cap hit will be $1.25 million for next two seasons. It saves the Coyotes $2.5 million this upcoming season.

This move also allows center prospects Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak a chance to make an impact at the NHL level for the Coyotes this season. With Martin Hanzal and Brad Richardson already established centers, there's simply no room for Vermette (or his cost) on the roster, given his decline in play.

Vermette, 34, does not fit into the top-six role and the team did not want to pay him.

"In order to give our team more flexibility, we needed to make this difficult decision," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a statement. "This move will provide an opportunity for some of our young, talented players to step up."