The deals are pretty frickin’ unbelievable.  Kane and Toews were given five-year deals worth US$31.5 million each while d-man, Keith, was handed a 13-year contract worth $72 million.  That’s even better than that crazy off-season 12-year, $62.8 million contract given to Marian Hossa.

image: TSN

“We are a close group of guys and there’s no individual player who is bigger than the team,” Keith said. “I would certainly rather have these two guys up here at the same time, as well, and take a little of the spotlight off. I don’t mind that at all.”

I think Keith is great and I’m not surprised that they locked him up but those long contracts really make me nervous.  I think it’s too much pressure and security at the same time for a player and a lot of them end up choking.

When someone asked Kane about the deal he said: “You don’t think about that stuff when you are on the ice. You are trying to play for the love of the game and for your team. Obviously there is pressure, but with that comes responsibility. We know we have to pick it up.”

Well, these three are great players so I hope their play doesn’t change as a result.

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During his apology (which he delivered at the start of the three-day orientation camp for the U.S. Olympic hockey team), he said:  “I know everyone wants to talk about what happened in Buffalo.  As you know, the legal proceedings are pending and I cannot discuss the events at this time.  Because I’ve put myself in being in the wrong position at the wrong time, I’ve caused a lot of pain for my family, my home town of Buffalo, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Blackhawks and obviously, the great fans we have here in Chicago. And for that part, I sincerely apologize.”

Kane was supposed to appear in court yesterday but it was delayed so that he could go to the orientation camp.  He has pleaded not guilty and even the cabbie’s lawyer said the whole thing was “blown out of proportion.”

Team USA’s GM, Brian Burke, had some understanding words for the situation: “It’s possible for a young man to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and make a poor decision,” he said.  “I know when I was Patrick Kane’s age, I did a couple of things I wouldn’t want to talk about up here… [the incident] does not affect my opinion of Patrick Kane or his ability to contribute to this team.”

While Kane is excited to “get back to the ice and represent the Chicago Blackhawks and the United States Olympic hockey team” he did talk a little bit about how tough this situation has been, saying the hardest was “probably being in handcuffs and them [his family] seeing me in handcuffs.  They said it’s something they never want to see again.  My family didn’t raise me that way, so it’s tough letting them down.”

While he got a lot of support from all the Kane jerseys he did see a Dallas fan booing him.  He said that he expects to see more of that in the coming years.  It’s really too bad.  He had a pretty perfect start to his career and this is just a really unfortunate situation.  Hockey players aren’t above the law so, if he did attack the cabbie, he deserves to be punished in the same way as everyone else.

image: TSN

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Here’s the story (and it’s very lame).  Kane (20) and his cousin James (21) punched a cabbie who didn’t have proper change – they gave him $15 and wanted the change on a $13.80 fare.  I’m guessing these two geniuses never heard of tipping people in the service industry???

The cabbie offered to give them $1 but they wanted the other $0.20 so they allegedly grabbed their money and punched him in the face and head (he had cuts and bruises on his face and his glasses were broken).  The whole thing went down around 5am.

Both Kanes have been charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services.  They have entered a plea of not guilty.  Of course, the NHL is involved and they are trying to get more details as they work with the Buffalo police department. 

This is sad because Kane is a real hero in his hometown and was even with the mayor last night at a press conference about funding for a local rink.  I hope this isn’t true because Kane is one of my favorite young players but something tells me that it is.

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Meanwhile, Alexander Ovechkin has been chosen to front the NHL 2K10 game. 

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Just when I had recovered, I discovered Brian Campbell’s ad campaign.  I was doubled over laughing again.  Too funny!

Toews/Kane

Brian Campbell

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