Kane just trying to stay focused on hockey

As difficult as it might be, Patrick Kane is trying to stay focused on the job at hand - and that's to prepare to help the Blackhawks repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

"There's still obviously plenty of things that are going on away from the rink that keep your attention," Kane said Saturday morning before the Hawks played St. Louis at the United Center.

"But like I said when I'm here in this locker room, at this rink, on the ice - that's what I'm focused on."

This was the first time Kane spoke to the media since playing in Tuesday's preseason win over Detroit. Since then, a whirlwind of events has taken place in the investigation into a claim that Kane sexually assaulted a woman at Kane's New York home.

First the accuser's attorney - Thomas Eoannou - said Wednesday the bag that held rape kit evidence was placed anonymously on the doorstep of the accuser's mother. Eoannou then quit the case Thursday, saying the mother had deceived him about the bag.

Then on Friday, the Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III held a news conference to let everyone know that the rape kit has not been tampered with and is still in police custody.

Kane still has not been charged with a crime.

So did all of this boost Kane's spirits with the hope that this entire ordeal finally may come to an end sooner rather than later?

"Obviously, I believe what I said," Kane said, "and I think that's been reiterated many times by, not only myself, but by my lawyer as well.

"What's going to actually happen is just speculation. I don't know what comes next."

Kane obviously has been keeping track of the developments, but was adamant that he's trying to focus on getting better and getting his game where it needs to be for the regular-season opener on Oct. 7 against the New York Rangers.

"If I start worrying about other things, then it's only going to mess with my head and mess with what I'm trying to do here," Kane said. "Obviously that's trying to get my game back and get everything back on point. "So that's where my focus is at right now."

Kane, who didn't skate at all after the news broke about the alleged assault in early August, admitted he'd normally "be at a better place" at this point in camp.

"But I feel like it's starting to come around," Kane said. "I feel like I've been trying to work hard at training camp … to get everything back in order."

After taking the first question, Kane congratulated the Cubs on clinching a playoff spot early Saturday morning.