Yeah don't know what the heck they were thinking, actually amazed his attorney even agreed to let him speak.
- walleyeb1

Agree Kane's attorney wouldn't usually let a client face the press if matter still unresolved. Just going to further aggravate DA and accuser's camp.

Can't help but feel something unexpected happened in the hours (minutes?) before the press conference that changed what they planned to say and threw them off their game. Reversal on settlement agreement? Kane refusing to take LOA they thought was agreed? Who knows.

There is no way execs with this much experience with the press look so either obviously irate (McD) or shell-shocked (Stanbo) or stumble over answers to what should have been the expected questions like they did. Also seemed there may have been some late tweaking to the prepared statements that they didn't have time to rehearse, hence, Kane's slip and McD being less than smooth.

Maybe they will address questions in full later as stated, and we'll know the scoop. Not holding breath.

IMHO this was always about money and now its just a matter of how much

In the future athletes and rich guys in general will have to have a form signed by the women prior to having sex saying that it is consensual
- molly2522

Supposedly Jeter had his one nighters sign a form, give in their cell phone and give them a gift basket on their way out.

here is my take. the hawks have washed their hands clean. meaning they let him come back to work and said "we will give you the benefit of the doubt." however, i think that they did that with the stipulation that if he is in fact charged, even if he is "cleared" that he will be required to waive his nmc and that is on paper. that is the only scenario in my mind that makes sense.

if he gets charged the hawks can say hey we took his word that this would be quickly resolved but now it is best if we part ways. if he isnt charged then im sure there are steps in place that will need to be followed to T.

and that press conference was about as awkward as it gets. yikes. bad bad bad.

anyway, hopefully they can move bickell and im assuming another vet or two get added on the blue line just in case. if there is some space i think it is better to have that insurance even if they sit in the box most nights.
- fattybeef

Fatty, as I wrote earlier, the Hawks have been pushed into all of this. First, with Kane being the subject of a serious investigation (after 3 previous public indiscretions), second, with the BUF DA's office not officially taking any position on the matter, then asking for a GJ and then postponing the GJ and third, Kane taking the position that he has done no wrong and that he doesn't need any help (and I am not saying that he is lying about this).

The Hawk's hands are TIED in regards to Patrick Kane and training camp. Until they have a contractual or legal basis to suspend him all they can do is allow him to play or take a huge risk with voiding his contract. The Hawks top MGT have gone back and forth over this for weeks now, and what they have all come to grips with is this...there's really nothing that they can do, so they are moving forward, cautiously. They have hired a PR firm to help them through this process, which tells you that they are CONCERNED about having Patrick Kane play for them under these circumstances. The Hawks approached both Coach Q and Jonathan Toews about Kane showing up to camp and playing and both have said they are alright about it. As I said before, END OF STORY, right or wrong, good or bad, he's in camp and getting ready to help the Blackhawks defend their title...and I doubt that any Blackhawk player will work harder at playing well this season than Patrick Kane, as for now, its "all he's got"!

There is no need, nor ledge to stand upon to criticize how the Blackhawks have "handled" this situation...this situation has handled THEM! What I can share with you is this, repeating as champions is a BIG DEAL for Rocky, McD, Bowman, Q and Toews. They all felt that this was the year for the Hawks to repeat, which is why Crawford wasn't going anywhere and why Kane's actions are so frustrating for them (this and other reasons).

So, if you were running the Hawks and feeling like this was your year to repeat, how would you move forward after this situation is resolved? Suspend him? Trade him, trade him right away? Or would you wait and see? I mean honestly, what else can the Hawks do right now but wait and see?

How are the Hawk fans going to respond to his playing? How are women going to respond? How are their sponsors and "partners" going to respond? How are the players and coaches going to respond? And finally, how will Kane respond, on the ice and off, to all of this media scrutiny? He didn't do so well today.

I think its time to cut the Hawks franchise some slack and start focusing on hockey itself. What we know right now is that Kane is playing, camp opens tomorrow, and the Hawks need to replace Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya, and hope that they have found a true #5 defence man and that they can afford him. Because if the Hawks have the answers to these questions resolved, who's going to beat them for another Cup?

IMHO this was always about money and now its just a matter of how much

In the future athletes and rich guys in general will have to have a form signed by the women prior to having sex saying that it is consensual
- molly2522

...you do realize that at anytime during sex acts, despite a signed contract, one willing party can always change their mind and say no (at which point, the sex should stop), right? So, anything short of taping the whole thing (with both parties' consent), could still result in this type of clusterbang?

Or do you not know how consent works? Serious question...

Looks really uncomfortable.
- golfbard

Kane actually looked like he could use a drink.

@ChrisKuc: Source: #Blackhawks closing in on a long-term contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook.

False. What he said is he is confident he will be absolved. Big difference.
To the second point, hardly damning. They discussed whatever his lawyer feels would help him in a civil suit.
- Hawkeyes1

I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong = I will be found innocent

An attorney emailed the Score and said Kane essentially called the accuser a liar by saying he will be absolved, and may jeopardize any settlement and confidentiality agreement since Kane is already on record as saying he is essentially innocent. The next caller was also an attorney and pointed out that Kane better have a settlement in place, because if this goes to civil court Mcd and Stanbo could be forced to testify after admitting today they had conversations with Kane, his lawyer and others
- Sundevil

Spot on this was the one area where they did put themselves in a bad spot. Must admit I'm baffled as to why Cambria agreed to let Kane speak at all. The prepared statement, well you all heard it, who came up with that?

I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong = I will be found innocent
- Sundevil

I'm glad someone else picked that up... I was listening, and was like 'does he know what he just said there?'

One thing I think may hurt Kane (or his value in a trade) was, when asked if he'd stop drinking, Kane smirked... I can understand that the smirk was more of a 'the balls on this guy' reaction than anything, but it never does anyone any good to smirk when in trouble.

...you do realize that at anytime during sex acts, despite a signed contract, one willing party can always change their mind and say no (at which point, the sex should stop), right? So, anything short of taping the whole thing (with both parties' consent), could still result in this type of clusterbang?

Or do you not know how consent works? Serious question...
- KarlKarlsson

Im saying you do everything you can to limit your exposure to false accusations

@ChrisKuc: Source: #Blackhawks closing in on a long-term contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook.
- DarthKane

Well deserved

I'm glad someone else picked that up... I was listening, and was like 'does he know what he just said there?'

One thing I think may hurt Kane (or his value in a trade) was, when asked if he'd stop drinking, Kane smirked... I can understand that the smirk was more of a 'the balls on this guy' reaction than anything, but it never does anyone any good to smirk when in trouble.
- KarlKarlsson

Good pick up on the smirk, I thought the same thing

@ChrisKuc: Source: #Blackhawks closing in on a long-term contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook.
- DarthKane

I like this.

Im saying you do everything you can to limit your exposure to false accusations
- molly2522

ah, I read that a completely different way. my bad.

What return would satisfy you if Kane were traded, assuming he's cleared of all wrongdoing?

Prospects and picks? Would you settle for a 1-for-1 trade that you lose slightly, but provides top 3 skill?

Good pick up on the smirk, I thought the same thing
- Sundevil

Really? Multiple people thought a smirk just impacted Kane's trade value? Whats going on here lol....

What was he supposed to do in response to that question to maintain his current trade value?

What return would satisfy you if Kane were traded, assuming he's cleared of all wrongdoing?

Prospects and picks? Would you settle for a 1-for-1 trade that you lose slightly, but provides top 3 skill?
- KarlKarlsson

Whatever IMMEDIATELY replaces or even enhances Kane's function on this team. AKA nothing.

Really? Multiple people thought a smirk just impacted Kane's trade value? Whats going on here lol....

What was he supposed to do in response to that question to maintain his current trade value?
- SimpleJack

Act like a professional for once given the circumstance.

Really? Multiple people thought a smirk just impacted Kane's trade value? Whats going on here lol....

What was he supposed to do in response to that question to maintain his current trade value?
- SimpleJack

Thought it was an odd reaction that is

Act like a professional for once given the circumstance.
- teh_HAWKZ

Such an easy thing to say isn't it.

When i think about it and put myself in his position(without even knowing how personal the entire alcohol issue is to him), that's obviously a question that would have been very hard to react to. I probably wouldn't have been able to keep a straight stone cold face. Any real person can admit to this. But i guess he wasn't perfect enough for some. Not professional enough.... I jus dont get it.

@ChrisKuc: Source: #Blackhawks closing in on a long-term contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook.
- DarthKane

After today's presser...

...wouldn't surprise me if Seabs contemplates relocating.

What a mess of a press conference....

Act like a professional for once given the circumstance.
- teh_HAWKZ

Kane should have NOT taken questions. Release a statement, or perhaps read a statement...

...that is all.

After today's presser...

...wouldn't surprise me if Seabs contemplates relocating.

What a mess of a press conference....
- ArlingtonRob

I dont see what the big deal is. It was awkward yes. It had to happen asap. Camp is opening and hockey season is starting soon. What should they have done? Held him out and waited longer, so this moment took place during the season? So everyone else had to answer for him until then?

What return would satisfy you if Kane were traded, assuming he's cleared of all wrongdoing?

Prospects and picks? Would you settle for a 1-for-1 trade that you lose slightly, but provides top 3 skill?
- KarlKarlsson

If it was Patrick Kane for Matt Duchene straight up for example then I would be on board

Really? Multiple people thought a smirk just impacted Kane's trade value? Whats going on here lol....

What was he supposed to do in response to that question to maintain his current trade value?
- SimpleJack

...anything but smirk, smile or laugh. He was brought out there today purely for optics and smirked when asked about if he'll drink again (the common theme running through his three incidents) - it didn't look good.

Looking at that damn smirk, it can lead one to think (rightly or wrongly) that this guy just doesn't get the poop he brings down on the organization. Like I said earlier, I don't think that's the case, or his intention behind the smirk.

Maybe you don't have kids, or have never had to discipline a co-worker: if they smirk while in trouble, you want to rip their throat out.

What I do think is that, if CHI brought him out there today just to show off how sorry he is about this distraction and to show that he's a changed man in an attempt to trade him, it didn't go well. A smirk isn't going to ruin his trade value, but it sure doesn't make him look sorry for the poopshow going on.

Hell, he could've even said he wasn't going to drink to excess or doesn't drink to excess, or its a problem he'll deal with or has been dealing with. He had a chance to man up to something that clear seems like a problem (or a catalyst surrounding each of these three incidents) and chose not to act on it (again, rightly or wrongly). If he didn't answer the question for legal reasons, then he shouldn't have been there in the first place.