Between the Circles

This from Tuesday's Buffalo News....
Patrick Kane and his cousin are expected to avoid criminal charges in a plea deal being hammered out, after both men are expected to be indicted this week on misdemeanor criminal charges, law enforcement sources said Monday.
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.

Blackhawks star Patrick Kane will make his first public statement about his legal situation on Monday before the start of the U.S. Olympic orientation camp at Seven Bridges in Woodridge.
It’s the only time during the three-day camp that Kane will discuss his arrest last week in Buffalo for allegedly robbing and beating a taxi driver, according to a spokesman for USA Hockey.
Kane is one of 34 players invited to the camp that will be the first step in helping determine the 23-man U.S. Olympic team roster for the February Games in Vancouver.
The on-ice sessions are open to the public and free. Doors open at 9 a.m., but there is limited seating and fans will be allowed into the rink on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some of the most diehard Blackhawks fans sit in the 300 level at the United Center and now games are going to be more comfortable for them.
The United Center announced Thursday a re-design of the 300 level for Hawks and Bulls games, naming it The Madhouse on Madison.
The 300 level now will feature a renovated concourse with 144 flat screen televisions, new food and beverage stations above select seating sections and two new bars that open up to panoramic views of the arena.

Monday was a much better day for Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.
The attorney for the cabdriver Kane and his cousin are accused of beating and robbing said the incident was being blown out of proportion and that the two sides probably could work things out, which sounded like an invitation for a settlement.
Kane also hired a top Buffalo, N.Y. attorney in Paul J. Cambria, who said his client didn’t commit any crime and planned to prove it. Cambria told a Buffalo radio station that the fact cabdriver Jan Radecki locked the doors to his taxi and wouldn’t let the Kanes out would be a key part of the defense.
Later on Monday there was a TV report claiming a witness out there who said the Kanes were victims and not the cabbie.

What happens if the charges filed against Blackhawks all-star winger Patrick Kane by Buffalo police on Sunday prove to be true?
That's a question Hawks president John McDonough and general manager Stan Bowman had to be kicking around late into the night Sunday following Kane's arrest earlier in the day in his native Buffalo for allegedly assaulting and robbing a 62-year-old cab driver.
That's right, the cab driver is 62. Kane is 20 and his cousin, who also was charged, is 21.
In a statement issued Sunday (and it's official, the Hawks now lead all of pro sports in statements), a team spokesman said the club was standing by Kane while all the facts are gathered.

Jeremy Roenick retired Thursday the way you would have expected, in grand style with the best retirement news conference in recent memory.
Roenick told great stories, he was funny and he spoke from the heart about his love for the game, his love for former teammates and his love of the fans.
It was a terrific walk down memory lane for Hawks fans as Roenick broke down when thanking Doug Wilson, Steve Larmer, Denis Savard, Michel Goulet, Dirk Graham, Chris Chelios and Mike Keenan for helping him learn how to be a professional and for making him the player he became for 20 years.
Wilson, the Sharks’ general manager, spoke at the news conference held in San Jose. Chelios phoned in to talk about old times.

It’s about time somebody decided Kevin Cheveldayoff belonged in the NHL.
That somebody turned out to be Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, who on Monday hired Cheveldayoff to be the Hawks’ assistant GM.
What a great hire by Bowman and the Hawks.
In his 12 years as general manager of the Chicago Wolves, Cheveldayoff won four championships and proved he knows how to identify talent.
“His track record at the American Hockey League level is un-matched," Bowman said.
It wasn’t easy for Cheveldayoff to leave the Wolves. It’s never easy for anyone to leave the Wolves, who run a first-class organization from top to bottom. But the NHL is the NHL, and the up-and-coming Hawks and accomplished Cheveldayoff, a winner, appear to be a perfect fit.

The Blackhawks are angry, and rightly so, over the NHL’s investigation into Marian Hossa’s 12-year, $62.8 million contract.
Why did the league approve the contract in the first place back on July 1 if it thought there was any sort of red flag?
Nobody likes Monday morning quarterbacking, which is what the NHL is doing by reacting now.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is concerned because Hossa's is the first of these trendy long-term contract NHL teams are giving out that takes the player past the age of 40.
Hossa would be 42 at the end of his deal in 2021, when his salary is just $750,000 compared to $7.9 million for the first seven years.

A Hawks spokesman said the club was aware of Marian Hossa's right shoulder injury on July 1 when they signed him to a 12-year, $62.8 million contract.
The Hawks will continue to monitor Hossa's shoulder/rotator cuff problem and are hoping surgery isn't necessary. That decision will be made by Hossa and doctors.
The severity of the injury still is not known. Surgery, if it's done soon, might only keep Hossa out of the Hawks' lineup until December.
The injury is believed to have occured during the playoffs, possibly in the Western Conference finals against the Hawks. Hossa had no goals in the Red Wings' seven-game Stanley Cup Finals loss to Pittsburgh.

A couple things…

A day after Marty Havlat blasted Hawks president John McDonough, Marian Hossa said at his news conference on Thursday that his good friend Havlat had nothing but great things to say about the organization.
“He told me how great this organization is and they are pretty easy guys to work with,” Hossa said.
So which way is it, Marty?…

Tomas Kopecky was very impressive at Thursday’s news conference, talking about winning, playing strong defense and being a physical presence.
And when asked about playing in Chicago, Kopecky talked of looking forward to getting familiar with the city’s various ethnic communities.
How many guys would bring that up?…