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Blackhawks GM: Patrick Kane 'absolutely' in our long-term plans

Bill Smith / National Hockey League / Getty

The Chicago Blackhawks don't plan on parting with Patrick Kane any time soon.

General manager Stan Bowman told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times that Kane will be part of the club for the long haul.

"Oh, absolutely. You can't find talent like Patrick," the GM said. "You look at what he's done over the course of his career, whether it's this season, last season, or since he was a rookie and won rookie of the year. He's been a game-changer."

Kane led the league with 31 points entering Saturday's game against the Vancouver Canucks, but Bowman said he doesn't feel vindicated by Kane's performance after allowing the forward to take part in preseason practices and games while he was the subject of a sexual assault investigation.

"I don't look at any vindication," Bowman said. "It's not about that for me or for us. It's really about just moving forward with things. And I think Patrick's been the best player in the league in the first 20 games. He's certainly been our best player."

He added, "That's the only way I would look at that. I'm not going to characterize anything other than (the fact that we're) happy to see the way he's playing."

No charges were filed against Kane following the three-month investigation, during which five NHL clubs reportedly contacted the Blackhawks about acquiring him.

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