Archive for August, 2009

Kane’s Court Date Set

August 10th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

TSN.ca is reporting that Patrick Kane‘s court date has been scheduled for next week, August 17th, the same day he is expected to be in Woodridge, IL for a three day U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey orientation camp. Those involved are moving forward with haste – Kane is going to want to put this all behind him as fast as possible.

Patrick Kanes Mug-Shot - wivb.com

Patrick Kane's Mugshot

Patrick Kane’s lawyer submitted an ‘not guilty’ plea yesterday.

Team spokesman Brandon Faber stated:

He is a big part of our organization and a team leader and we stand behind him. As we are still collecting all the facts, it would be premature to comment further at this time.”

Local Buffalo, N.Y. television station, WIVB, was able to get an on-camera interview with the taxi driver that Kane and his cousin allegedly assaulted and robbed. He wants to only go by his initials J.R.. I assume that would be so he could keep his anonymity, but he allows his face to broadcast on television for a story that will be picked up by many American and Canadian (possibly some European) stations.

Hmm…

UPDATE: The taxi driver’s attorney believes that the incident that happened between his client and the Kane cousins was blown out of proportion, and he thinks that both sides will “be able to work things out”.

His lawyer, Andrew LoTempio told WGN radio:

There was a dispute over the fee and it just kind of escalated from there. It was not really a robbery. That is probably a large distortion of what happened.”

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Patrick Kane Arrested In Buffalo, N.Y.

August 9th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Well, the summer shit show continues… Early this morning, Patrick Kane and his cousin were arrested for robbery and a few other counts after an altercation occurred between them and a Buffalo taxi driver. Apparently he was unable to give the two their $1.20 (he had the dollar, but couldn’t scrounge up twenty cents) in change on their fare, and was punched in the face and the $15 that was given to him for the ride was taken back.

An excerpt from the ESPN.com article:

Buffalo police spokesman Michael DeGeorge says the cab driver suffered cuts to his face and his glasses were damaged after being struck in the face and head. Both Kanes were charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor counts of theft of services and criminal mischief.”

WIVB-TV in Buffalo reported that an attorney for Kane has entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf in a city court. Second-degree robbery is a Class C felony. The fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft-of-services charges are both Class A misdemeanors.”

Patrick Kane is the last person on the Blackhawk’s roster that I would think of being capable of partaking in such an act. Remember that these are just allegations at this point, and not all the details are out. As the story develops, Red Rising will post any updates.

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Toledo Walleye – New ECHL Affiliate

August 5th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The Blackhawks announced today that the organization will have a new ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) affiliate this season will be the Toledo Walleye. Last year the ‘Hawks were affiliated with the Fresno Falcons before they folded due to low revenue and dwindling attendance. The Gwinnett Gladiators became a temporary home for the rest of the season. Relocating the ECHL affiliate to Toledo will bring prospects in the Blackhawks’ system closer to Rockford and Chicago.

Often teams are unable to fill out an entire roster at this level and opt to share an affiliate with another NHL organization. Well, of all twenty-nine other teams in the league, the Blackhawks will share the ECHL affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings – this will be their first season with Toledo as well.

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More On The Hossa Contract Investigation

August 4th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Over the weekend it was reported that the NHL will hire an outside firm to investigate the contract Marian Hossa singed with the Blackhawks. The ‘Hawks aren’t in this alone. The Philadelphia Flyers are also being investigated by the league because of the contract extension they gave Chris Pronger after receiving him via trade from Anaheim early this summer. Hossa and Pronger will be forty-two when their respective contracts are slated to expire.

Each deal had to be approved by the league before each contract was filed, so it doesn’t make too much sense as to why they are wasting their time with an investigation. The Blackhawks and the Flyers used the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to their advantage, but the league is arguing that they are attempting to circumvent – buzz word of the matter – the salary cap.

To reiterate what I wrote in my post on Friday, Hossa’s salary cap-hit is $5.233M. That number is derived from averaging the salary that is owed to him over the course of his twelve-year contract. The last four years of his contract are at $1M and lower, which resulted in the lowering of the cap-hit the Blackhawks take on. The practice of front-loading the contract is a tool that any organization in the league can exercise, and most have to some extent.

When Hossa is in the ninth year of his contract at the ripe age of thirty-nine, he will be making $1M and according to the current CBA the Blackhawks will still have the $5.233M cap-hit against them. The league’s concern is that retirement was discussed between the two parties and that Hossa has already decided whether or not he will finish out his contract.

As they should, the Blackhawks deny any wrong doing when they negotiated Hossa’s contract last month. The NHLPA also claims that the Hossa and Pronger deals are legit. The league doesn’t have much of an argument here since they did have a previous chance to act on these contracts when they were initially signed. Gary Bettman, Bill Daly and the NHL are resorting to scare tactics because teams such as Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit are acting within the parameters of the CBA to their advantage.

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Cheveldayoff Named New Assistant GM

August 3rd, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Little bit of news today. The Blackhawks have found their replacement for Stan Bowman’s old position with the organization. Kevin Cheveldayoff will take over as assistant general manager. He was formerly the general manager of the Chicago Wolves – currently the AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers – for twelve years. Cheveldayoff won four championships in his tenure with the Wolves.

For more info on the new guy, read the official press release.

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