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Kane in Chicago Blackhawks' long-term plans

Patrick Kane isn't going anywhere.

That's exactly what Stan Bowman told reporters Saturday night in Vancouver as the Chicago Blackhawks' general manager met with traveling beat reporters during the team's 6-3 loss to the Canucks.

There was talk of the Hawks possibly wanting to trade Kane, with the Chicago Sun-Times reporting that at least five teams reached out to Bowman about acquiring the superstar winger. Bowman wouldn't comment on that report but did say that, despite Kane being the target of a sexual-assault investigation this summer, the NHL's leading scorer is "absolutely" in the Hawks' long-term plans.

"You can't find talent like that," Bowman said. "You look at what he's done over the course of his career, whether it's this season, last season or since he was a rookie and won rookie of the year. He's been a game changer. … He's one of those guys that's … able to elevate his game in pressure moments.

"Not too many guys are able to do that. Sometimes when the pressure gets on, they have a hard time performing, but he's sort of the opposite. He seems to raise his game."

Kane, who has a league-high 32 points and is riding a 16-game points streak, will not be charged with any crime. Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced that decision earlier this month.

Bowman said neither he nor the Hawks feel vindicated for standing behind Kane and allowing him to play during the ordeal.

"I don't look at any vindication," Bowman said. "It's not about that for me or for us. It's really just about moving forward with things.

"And I think Patrick has been the best player in the league. The first 20 games, he's certainly been our best player."

Not thrilled:

Patrick Kane heads into Wednesday's game at San Jose looking to extend his points streak to 17 games, which would put him just four behind Bobby Hull's team record of 21.

Kane moved his streak to 15 and 16 in Calgary and Vancouver by registering secondary assists on goals by Artem Anisimov. However, the Hawks' star took just 5 shots on goal in those losses, registering a minus-2 rating in the process.

Kane said he's trying not to think about the streak and would rather focus on improving what he deems to be sluggish play of late.

"I don't know if I'm extremely happy with my game right now," Kane told reporters after the Hawks' loss in Vancouver on Saturday. "So I want to try and improve a little bit, especially going into the California (part of the) trip and create some more scoring chances out there."

Treading water:

The Hawks' heads remain above the playoff water, but they're having a tough time garnering any momentum.

Coach Joel Quenneville's team is 11-8-2 and in fifth place in the Central Division. They are 1 point behind Minnesota and Nashville for third, but both of those teams have played two fewer games than the Hawks, who have 24 points. Sixth-place Winnipeg has 22 points.

"I think we're still trying to find our groove," Patrick Kane said. "But it seems like some other players are starting to get into it a little bit and get themselves going. So that'll be a good thing moving forward."

He said it:

"We gave up half the chances we did in the last two games, but the wrong guys got the chances tonight."

- Hawks coach Joel Quenneville after his team's 6-3 loss at Vancouver in which Henrik and Daniel Sedin combined for 9 points.

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