When Evander Kane joined and subsequently thrived with the Sharks last season after a trade from Buffalo nearly one year ago, the general sentiment was that the forward was motivated not only to finally play in the postseason for the first time in his career, but that he was busting his butt to earn a fat payday in the offseason as a pending unrestricted free agent.



He earned that payday, of course, and didn’t even have to pack his bags again. Kane signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Sharks on May 24, opting to stay in San Jose rather than test the market.



Like any long-term contract, it’s hard to predict how it will look a few years from now. But lately, in a season that the Sharks are set up well to challenge for their first Stanley Cup, it sure looks like a wise investment.



Kane has been arguably the Sharks’ best forward since posting one goal, one assist and 10 shots against Winnipeg on Dec. 20. He entered Saturday night...