By Chris Hine/Chicago Tribune
In each city the Chicago Blackhawks visit, Patrick Kane knows the drill as the local media will question him after the Hawks’ morning skate.
And Friday in Calgary, Kane was alone at his locker, awaiting the swarm of reporters who would enter -- just as he did two days before in Edmonton.
Kane got a reprieve Saturday because the Hawks didn’t skate before their game with the Canucks in Vancouver.
But Friday, Kane, who has been polite and accommodating with the media the last few months, was asked how he has been able to produce so well on the ice despite a great deal of uncertainty in his personal life. The question was an obvious reference to the sexual assault investigation Kane faced that ultimately concluded with no charges filed.
Kane gave a noteworthy answer. “It doesn’t mean it doesn’t weigh on you, whether it’s articles or reports, whatever it may be,” Kane said. “Hockey has been my little getaway from everything. It’s almost like after school or something, when you don’t want to worry about your homework, you get to go play with your friends. That’s kind of what the feeling has been for me.”
Kane remains a polarizing figure. There are his fans -- many of them -- who might have felt as justified as Kane was after the investigation. To them, such a comment is not a big deal, and there is little Kane could do that would tarnish his image as one of their favourite players.
There are others who watched how the investigation unfolded in the public eye and are concerned future victims of sexual assault will be reluctant to come forward. To them, comparing experiencing a sexual assault investigation to putting off homework for play could come across as insensitive. There is little Kane could do on the ice to change their opinion and appreciate Kane as he goes about his job as one of the best players in the NHL. Then there are others who fall somewhere between those two ends. Nonetheless, Kane’s answer was a glimpse into his mindset and how he has been able to compile one of his best seasons.
On Friday against the Flames, Kane recorded a point in his 15th consecutive game, the longest such streak of his career. At this point of the season, any short list for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player must include Kane. Entering Saturday, he led the league in points (31) and goals (13) and was tied for first in assists (18).
For the first time since the Buffalo-area district attorney, Frank Sedita III, did not charge Kane, general manager Stan Bowman addressed Kane’s future with the team amid rumblings the Hawks may try to trade him. Bowman said Kane “absolutely” remains part of the team’s long-term plans, though Bowman said he would not comment when asked if the team was satisfied with Kane’s off-ice behaviour.
“You can’t find talent like that,” Bowman said. “You look at what he has done over the course of his career, whether it’s this season, last season. ... He has been a game changer.”
Kane has credited his strong start to his new linemates, rookie winger Artemi Panarin and center Artem Anisimov. The three have become as dangerous a line as there is in the NHL.
“(It’s) probably the most productive (line) in the short period of time we’ve been together,” Kane said. “I don’t want to say it’s easy to do that, but I guess the tough part comes now, when teams are expecting you to produce and there’s a little bit more awareness on some guys, or your line, specifically.”
Goaltender Corey Crawford has another theory for why Kane is off to a torrid start. Kane turned 27 Thursday, but this is his ninth season in the NHL. Kane is still at the peak of his physical abilities but has the institutional knowledge of playing in the league for so long that his game can evolve to meet the adjustments opponents make on him.
“As he gets later in his career he keeps learning what things work, what things don’t, where to put the puck, in what areas and what time of the game, when to take a chance and when not to,” Crawford said. “... His game doesn’t necessarily stay the same. Teams find ways to defend you, and as a player or as a scorer you have to find ways to adapt.”
Forward Andrew Shaw said Kane is honing his craft constantly, even though he may not have to work as hard at this stage in his career.
“He’s one of those guys who every time he’s on the ice, he tries to get better and you respect that because when you have a status like him, those guys take days off or an optional practice,” Shaw said. “But he’s always working on individual skills, trying to get better than he already is.”
