… and Kane and Toews even got speaking lines!

It almost makes me want to watch Leno. Almost.

Via: The Pat Down Blog

Last evening, the Hawks found themselves in a high-scoring affair with the Predators at the United Center. It was tied 4-4 with under a minute to go in the third period.

Then this happened:

Hooray for Patrick Kane. The Hawks are now 26-9-3, good for the best record in the Western Conference, and I’m still not paying enough attention to these guys.

Patrick Kane has had a rough offseason. This we know. Which is why it would be really awesome if Kane and the Blackhawks took a major leap in 2009-10, and the only leap left is to win a Stanley Cup. Their chances are realistic, and given the salary cap problems they’re going to have in 2010 when Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith all become free agents, and 2009-10 is looking more and more like the year it has to happen.

But still, Patrick, you don’t need to go around saying things like this:

As they enter the 2009-10 season, the word “rebuild’ isn’t even a part of the Hawks’ vocabulary. These days, Kane believes only two words should be used. “It’s probably (Stanley) Cup or bust this year, and that’s what we want,” Kane told NHL.com. “I think you’ve got to play for those expectations. The better you get, the more the expectations are going to grow. Expectations are probably to the ceiling, but that’s the way it should be. That’s the way we want it.”

As Wysh notes, it’s not like this is the worst quote in the world. It makes some sense. And at least Kane didn’t slap the guy over 20 cents. This is a step up from previous offseason exploits.

But still, proclaiming yourself a Stanley Cup team in such a brazen manner — or even alluding to the notion that if you are, this is the year it has to happen — isn’t exactly the most PR-friendly way for Kane to handle the situation. Which is why it sucks to be a professional athlete*: Fans and media want you to say something interesting right up until the point when you actually do.

*Just kidding, it doesn’t suck AT ALL. In the inverse words of James Van Der Dawson, Mr. Professional Athlete, I want … your life.

I’m sorry, but I’ve found Patrick Kane’s legal proceedings to be rather entertaining. Obviously, it’s never cool to (allegedly) punch a cabbie in the middle of the night and (allegedly) steal 20 cents from him. But, it’s not just the altercation. It’s everything that’s transpired since.

After the rather believable police report came out, the cabbie’s lawyer decided to basically take Kane’s side. This was odd to me. Yet, it seemed to have a motive: the cab driver had some legal problems of his own. Then Kane’s lawyer stepped to the mic, claimed no wrongdoing on Kane’s end, and sort of deflected the blame on Kane’s cousin. From there, it was easy to see how this one was going to play out: Kane would get off harm free via a plea deal. Oh, and Kane cried about all this, too.

Anyway, today it’s officially come to an end: Kane and his cousin pleaded guilty to a noncriminal charge of disorderly conduct. As long as they stay clean for a year, they’ll avoid any penalties.

The only thing Kane and his cousin have to do now? Write the cab driver an apology. Here’s a rough draft:

“Sorry for partying.

Love,

Patrick Kane”

After pleading not guilty to his misdemeanor charges yesterday in Buffalo, Patrick Kane left the courtroom and did this:

Kane became teary-eyed as a reporter asked about the emotional toll he’s under while facing misdemeanor assault, theft and harassment charges that he and his cousin beat up a cabdriver over a fare.

As Sportress of Blogitude reminds us, this isn’t the first time Kane has broken down in front of reporters:

I suppose I’m supposed to say here that Patrick Kane is a hockey player, and big, bad hockey players don’t cry; they feel no pain. Society dictates a crying man is a sign of incredible weakness. But a crying hockey player? For shame.

Yet, as it’s been pointed out elsewhere today, we all know Kane isn’t quite a man. He’s still young at 20. He’s perhaps a bit emotionally immature. And so he’s cried a few times for us all to see.

I’m not sure this makes him a baby. If anything, all it does is show he’s human.

Patrick Kane is not going to jail. His delicate, supple body will not be seeing the inside of a jail cell. The Buffalo News is citing sources that both Kane and his cousin will likely be indicted on the misdemeanor charges they faced, but a plea deal will save them from any time in the slammer.

More details:

Those sources also said the most likely plea deal would involve the Kanes either pleading guilty to a violation — maybe harassment or disorderly conduct — or being granted an adjournment that could have the charges later dropped.

Neither of those scenarios likely would involve any jail time for the two cousins.

After all the backpedaling and “the story has been overblown” statements from the cabbie’s lawyer (and the full denial of any wrongdoing from Kane’s lawyer), this less-severe outcome became more likely by the day.

And now it’s likely here.

Kane is sure to be heckled by opposing fans for this. It’s likely going to carry with him for some time. But a final verdict in this ordeal is what he needs to officially put it behind him and get back to doing what he’s exceptionally talented at: playing hockey.

So, Patrick Kane had to face the media today during the 2009 U.S. Men’s Olympic orientation camp out at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge.

In a prepared statement (and his first time publicly speaking about the cabbie incident), Kane said this:

“Hello everyone. I’ve been very lucky to achieve every kid’s dream of playing in the National Hockey League, let alone for a great organization like the Chicago Blackhawks. Now I also have a chance to play for my country; a dream come true for myself and also my parents. I know everyone wants to talk about what happened in Buffalo. As you know, the legal proceedings are pending and as you know I cannot discuss the details at this time.

“Because I put myself in being in the wrong position in the wrong time, I’ve caused a lot of pain for my family, my hometown of Buffalo, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Blackhawks and obviously the great fans we have here in Chicago. And for that part, I sincerely apologize. Now it’s time for me to move forward. I’m excited to get back to the ice and represent the Chicago Blackhawks and the United States Olympic Hockey Team. Thank you.”

Keep reading →