Blackhawks claim Kane's injury not long-term concern
Patrick Kane officially was named an All-Star Game starter Saturday, but he will have to wait awhile before he can celebrate with those Blackhawks fans who voted for him.
Kane won't play tonight against the Calgary Flames at the United Center after aggravating his right-ankle injury in Thursday's Winter Classic.
Kane, who leads the Hawks in scoring with 41 points, called his situation day to day. He will accompany the team on its three-game road trip that begins Tuesday night in Arizona against the Coyotes.
"It's not feeling too great right now, so I think I just have to rest up and make sure it's better for a better time of year when I'm needed more," Kane said Saturday. "I think it's probably a day-to-day injury. I'm going to continue to get it treated and do everything to get back as soon as I can."
Kane hasn't missed a game since bursting onto the scene last season as a rookie, his streak at 117 straight.
He was hurt in Tuesday's loss at Detroit on a check by Dan Cleary when his skate caught in the ice and his ankle twisted under him as he fell. He played 18-plus minutes in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Detroit at Wrigley Field but clearly wasn't himself.
Kane said he would have tried to play even if it wasn't the Winter Classic.
"You do all you can to stay in the lineup and be a part of the team, so if it was a regular game I probably would have tried it," Kane said. "But now I know what it feels like and now I know where I need it to be to be playing and be effective.
"It was important to be part of that event. It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of us."
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Kane's problem wasn't long term, but the definition of long term always is open for debate when it comes in injuries in the NHL.
It wouldn't be surprising if Kane were to miss three games or more.
"It's kind of tough when you have to do this, but I think it's worth taking the time off to get it better," Kane said. "Hopefully if you have to take three or four or a couple games off, whatever it may be, then you're better off.
"Last game I wasn't really myself out there. I didn't feel comfortable and didn't feel myself, so i have to take care of it."
Ben Eager will take Kane's spot on the line with Patrick Sharp and Troy Brouwer. Adam Burish will jump back into the lineup on the fourth line for the first time since Nov. 25, when he broke his toe.
"It's definitely not long term, but I don't want to go further that (today)," said Quenneville, who didn't want to discuss whether Kane should have attempted to play Thursday.
"It was one of those decisions, whether he could play or not," Quenneville said. "I think part of it was it was such a great opportunity. I don't want to discuss too much about it, but the severity of it, the fact that he did play, I don't think it put him back."