I don't know Patrick Kane.
It remains to be seen whether it was he, or his cousin James, or both of them, who assaulted a 62 year-old man over 20 cents.
It is hard to believe, based upon Kane's public persona, and the fact that he has more money than most 20 year-olds will see in their lifetimes, that he would do something like that.
Regardless, at the very least, this episode speaks to a judgment issue. And it speaks to an ongoing concern that the Blackhawks have had with Kane's hometown 'allegiances.'
An issue that's been discussed (some would say 'to death') on this board is that of the Hawks' next offseason, when Kane, Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews become restricted free agents.
One of the things I have been saying on this subject is this: one cannot simply assume that the Blackhawks automatically intend to sign all three. Here's why I've been saying this.
There have been whispers about Kane. Not exactly popular with teammates. Angered some in Hawk management for wearing Sabres logos at a Blackhawk team event, raising concern about his longterm loyalty to the franchise. Kane and his Buffalo 'crew' tend to misbehave regularly in Buffalo watering holes.
Are these things true? No more so, at this point, than the allegation that Kane beat up a taxi driver over two dimes.
But now this very talented, privileged young man has put himself in a position where all these things are going to be discussed and weighed and, by some, accepted as fact.
There is no silver lining to this cloud. Except that it is a flashpoint for this young man to grow up and begin to appreciate the opportunity and responsibility of being a Chicago Blackhawk, instead of a spoiled kid from Buffalo.
Let's also recall, for the sake of perspective, many, many hockey players have at least somewhat similar incidents in their past.
My advice to Mr. Kane would be to accept responsibility to the extent he deserves it (we all know he's going to get a relatively light punishment), cut some of his ties with Western New York, then focus all his energy on becoming a better hockey player at both ends of the ice.
As for the Hawks, there are a couple of ways you can look at this.
Kane's definitely hurt his bargaining position. That said, all the naysayers and Chicken Littles who've predicted the implosion of the Hawks next offseason keep ignoring the fact that he, like Keith and Toews, are restricted free agents. And not one restricted free agent was extended an offer sheet this offseason.
What it does do, is damage Kane's trade value somewhat.
Though I still suspect, in light of Kane's immense talent and the fact that these kinds of things are not terribly uncommon among young hockey stars, some teams would still make substantial offers for him (though ironically maybe not the Sabres anymore).
And, again, to all those who attribute this and other offseason events to some kind of curse on the Blackhawks, here's an indisputable fact: hockey is played on the ice. And on the ice, this is a terrific, very deep and very young hockey team. The Good Ship Blackhawk is still on course for many years to come.
Which leads me, as the recently departed Paul Harvey, would say, to the rest . . . of the story.
If you had asked me two days ago, off the record, whether I felt Kane would be a Blackhawk in 2010-2011, I would have put the odds at 50-50, but it was based entirely on (until then) unsubstantiated rumor.
Now I would put those odds at 60-40 against it. Maybe more.
Water always finds its level. Now, Patrick Kane will either grow very quickly as a man and as a player. Or he will find himself in another team's uniform. And life will go on.
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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