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Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane may be back sooner than later

By Evan F. Moore

Feb 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at the United Center. Arizona won 3-2 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at the United Center. Arizona won 3-2 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patrick Kane could be making a return to the Blackhawks sooner rather than later

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are like no other.

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A team who breezed through the regular season can be tripped up by a team who has a hot goalie. Also, a team can sneak into the playoffs to have a deep run to the Stanley Cup Final. Having said that, the Blackhawks have a good chance to win the another Stanley Cup. For that to happen, the team needs its most electric player in Patrick Kane to make a return.

The return may happen sooner than expected.

Kane might be back sooner than team officials expected after he was seen taking slap shots in Tuesday morning’s skate around.

Two months ago, team doctors said this in regards to an initial timetable for the Hawks winger:

“Patrick underwent successful surgery today to repair his left clavicle fracture,” Terry said. “The procedure went very well and we anticipate a full recovery in approximately 12 weeks.”

Since then, Kane has made strides in his recovery.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says that Kane is progressing faster than the team expected.

“He’s progressing real well. Every day it seems like he’s getting stronger,” Quenneville told reporters. “His skating has always been fine and he’s handling the puck extremely well. Good signs every day and we’re seeing the progress.”

Kane was in the midst of a breakout season in which he was tied for the league lead in points, when he suffered a left clavicle fracture on Feb 24. He has missed 18 games.

Quenneville went on to tell the Chicago Tribune that the team will ease Kane into contact drills soon.

“Whether we’re together on the ice with him with contact or not, there are ways where he can get contact without the team being on the ice. There are ways of getting him ready without everyone being around.”

The Blackhawks acquired Antoine Vermette from the Coyotes as a stop gap move while Kane works his way back.

Any news appears to be good news since the team is jockeying for position in the Western Conference standings. Look for the action to be ratcheted up with division games with the Minnesota Wild, St.Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche to close out the season.

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