Kane sticks to script when addressing sex assault allegations
Surrounded by a throng of reporters inside the Blackhawks' dressing room at Johnny's IceHouse West, Patrick Kane didn't sway from the script he's been following since Day One at training camp when it comes to discussing reports about the sexual assault allegations against him by a woman in Hamburg, New York.
Saturday, the Buffalo News indicated it was “highly unlikely” that charges would be filed against Kane.
Asked about it Sunday after practice, Kane said: “Those are just reports and not really any facts or anything so far. For me to comment on that would be going against what we've been doing the whole time, so I'm not really gonna say much about it until the (Erie County) District Attorney … makes his decision.”
That person is Frank A. Sedita III, and he indicated in late September that a decision on whether or not to press charges against Kane would be made by early January. Kane isn't frustrated at how long the process is taking, saying he knows he's not the only case in the district.
“Obviously I'm looking forward to any type of conclusion, whatever that may be,” Kane said. “Just kind of want to wait for a decision.”
Kane's attorney, Paul J. Cambria, wouldn't say much to the Buffalo News on Saturday, other than he's had no serious talks with the D.A.'s office in several weeks.
Some pundits theorized that, because of the distractions, Kane would get off to a slow start this season, but the opposite has happened as he has 6 goals and 8 assists in the Hawks' first 11 games.
“It's my job. It's my profession to be a hockey player,” Kane said. “With that being said, I worry about that other stuff when you're away from the rink, and then when you're here it's kind of like a little getaway.
“You enjoy being here with your teammates and playing hockey, doing things I love to do.”
Coach Joel Quenneville didn't want to comment on the report but did say how impressed he's been with Kane's mindset since training camp began about six weeks ago.
“I commend him how he's handled it right from training camp throughout the whole season,” Quenneville said. “His focus has been in the right place. He's handled it extremely well.”
Hossa update:
Marian Hossa, who left Friday's loss in Minnesota with a lower-body injury, did not practice Sunday at Johnny's IceHouse West. Coach Joel Quenneville said Hossa is questionable for Monday's game with the Kings at the United Center.
“We'll have a better idea in the morning,” Quenneville said.
Hossa has just 1 goal thus far, but he's one of the Hawks' most important players on both ends of the ice.
“He's a player you can't replace,” said Andrew Shaw. “He's good offensively, he's great defensively. He's a huge asset (to) this team. … If we don't have him, everybody's gonna pick up their game, work a little bit harder, compete a little bit more.”
Line shuffling:
If Marian Hossa misses Monday's game against the Kings, it looks like Artemi Panarin will play left wing on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Ryan Garbutt.
Panarin, who has 2 goals and 8 assists in 11 games, has developed solid chemistry playing with Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane. Still, the 24-year-old rookie said he still wasn't surprised by the potential change.
“Not really. Got used to it really quick,” Panarin said of playing with Toews and Garbutt. “New lines happens quite often. … It's pretty rare for me to find linemates that are hard to play with, especially on this team.”
Teuvo Teravainen took Panarin's spot on the second line at practice. Bryan Bickell, Tanner Kero and Ryan Hartman skated on the third line, while Andrew Desjardins, Marcus Kruger and Andrew Shaw were on the fourth.
Slapshots:
Joel Quenneville said that defenseman Michal Rozsival (ankle) is “very doubtful” to be ready this week. “He's still got some extra work to do before we're comfortable with him playing,” Quenneville said. … Jonathan Toews has won at least 50 percent of his faceoffs in 10 of 11 games. He won 33 of 58 (56.9 percent) in the last two games at Winnipeg and Minnesota.