Patrick Kane's off-ice issues could leave to him landing with a new team on the ice as the Blackhawks may opt to trade him.
Kane, 26, is under police investigation in Hamburg, N.Y. after a woman accused him of rape last month and a trade by the Blackhawks, an image-conscious organization, remains possible. Up to five teams told the Blackhawks they were interested in a potential deal when the news first broke last month, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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The three-time Stanley Cup champion remains under investigation by police and the district attorney's office in the wake of a sexual assault incident that allegedly occurred in his Hamburg home on Aug. 2, but hasn't been charged with a crime.
There is no telling how the case will play out or if the Blackhawks will opt to deal the right wing. Kane is entering the first season of a record-setting eight-year, $84-million contract. Due to his on-ice skill set and being one of the best players in the entire NHL, he has many suitors if a potential deal came to the fold.
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The NHL already distanced itself from Kane since the news broke, taking him off the NHL '16 video game cover and the Blackhawks could be the next team to decide to sever ties with him. It's unknown how long the case will take to play out, but with training camp opening in two weeks, Chicago runs the risk of having a media hoard become a distraction as the investigation continues.
Kane is no stranger to off-ice incidents, getting involved in a dispute with a cab driver in August 2009 and then in another public altercation on Cinco de Mayo in 2012. The third strike could be the final one for the 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick in Chicago.
Kane has shown his winning pedigree with his three Stanley Cups and by earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013. He's also been an unbelievable presence on the ice, which is why many teams would love to strike a deal with the Blackhawks to bring him on.
The All-Star finished second on the Blackhawks with 27 goals and 64 points in the regular season, but his campaign was cut short due to a broken collarbone that was originally supposed to sideline him until at least the Western Conference Final. He returned in time for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, posting 11 goals and 23 points en route to the Cup.
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