Patrick Kane is back on the ice with the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time since he became the focal point of a rape investigation in Hamburg. Of course, replacing Kane’s on-ice production is an unlikely scenario, as players with his level of talent and ability to rise to the occasion in pressure situations don’t exactly grow on trees.
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If that indictment comes to pass and the case goes to a criminal trial, regardless of when it occurs (Kane’s legal team would likely try to delay it until the offseason), it’s hard to imagine that the image-conscious Blackhawks will allow him to remain with the team while he and his lawyers prepare his defense.
I provided a link earlier to a report citing research that typically less than 10% of rape accusations are found to be false, and I mentioned that that should in no way imply Kane is guilty. He got a second round of cheers when his name was announced over the loudspeaker after he assisted on a goal in a scrimmage. “It was an exciting moment”, Kane said.
“That’s a pretty cool reaction, especially given the circumstances”, Kane, 26, said. I just know that every topic was fair game at the news conference.
This is a ludicrous notion, but the Blackhawks are already going through with it. On Media Day on Thursday, Kane was trotted out in front of reporters to deliver a canned, legally non-committal statement discussing the “incredibly hard time for many people” and his “respect for the legal process”. Organizing Director Karin Roland says Kane should be sidelined until the investigation is complete.
“I’m absolutely confident about myself and confident about what’s going on”. I hope nothing happened.
Apparently it’s not just the Chicago Blackhawks organization that is standing behind Patrick Kane. He was a top contender for his first National Hockey League MVP award before breaking his collarbone in February. He signed an $84 million, eight-year contract extension that kicks in this season.
The play of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft has never been an issue, though his off-the-ice problems included an altercation with a cab driver in Buffalo in the summer of 2009.
“It doesn’t look like any of it has affected him”, Bickell said.
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The simple fact of the matter is that Patrick Kane may be a rapist.
