Kane opts to spend offseason in Chicago
After the best season of his career Patrick Kane is staying put in Chicago, and ideally out of the spotlight this offseason.
Kane will remain in Chicago to train this summer, rather than returning home to Buffalo, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Though it was originally thought to be the team's decision, it was Kane who made the call.
#Blackhawks and Patrick Kane say it was purely Kane's call, not the team's, to stay and train in Chicago for the summer.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 21, 2016
Last offseason in Buffalo, Kane was accused of sexually assaulting a woman. He was not charged and the case was dismissed, and it appears the superstar winger is happy to have a quiet summer.
Kane, 27, notched a league-leading 106 points last season, as the Blackhawks were uncharacteristically eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Kane, however, is already focused on the 2016-17 campaign and has begun his training regimen early this summer.
"I'm pretty happy with where my game was at during the regular season last year," Kane said. "I still think there are some ways I can improve ... As a competitive player, you always want to work on everything. You want to work on every part of your game and make sure it's getting better. That's what I'll probably try to do this offseason. Then I'll probably stay off the ice for a little bit, try to get my body where I want it."
Although it started early, Kane's offseason will be shortened, as he'll suit up for USA at the World Cup of Hockey in September.