Patrick Kane Investigation Officially Concluded

Patrick Kane Investigation Concluded, Charges Deemed Unfounded

Months have passed now since the Patrick Kane investigation took an unusual turn that pointed to false allegations. The NHL took final steps on Tuesday in their own independent review, which included a meeting between Kane and commissioner Gary Bettman.

The league itself has the ability to suspend players, regardless of whether charges are laid or not. We saw recently in the MLB, Aroldis Chapman receive a suspension, even though he was never formally charged.

If the league deems the behavior detrimental to their image as a whole, they hold the rights to suspend a player. Clearly, that was not the case with Patrick Kane.

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To this day, many still make disparaging comments about Patrick Kane. These are largely the same people who labeled him guilty from day one. Given it’s a small group – still a naive set of individuals who have difficulty comprehending that we are dealing with professional athletes who make a lot of money. It wouldn’t be the first female to attempt to blackmail/or extort money from a male athlete with false allegations. All they are hoping is that someone writes them a big check to disappear. UPDATE – Apparently some have misunderstood my above statement. I’m not directly accusing the alleged victim of blackmail/extortion – simply suggesting it to be a possibility given the suspicious nature in which the scenario played out. Let’s not forget the mother may still be facing charges for tampering with evidence. We also know Patrick Kane was not going to allow this to be a distraction during the season – however, there is always the possibility he takes legal action upon her in the summer for defamation of character and libel.

via NHL.com,

Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded

The National Hockey League announced today that it has completed its independent review of the Patrick Kane matter, the final stage of which included an in-person meeting between Kane and Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Monday, March 7.

Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded. The League considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.

The largest takeaway from the above statement is that the NHL decided allegations made against Kane were unfounded.

Definition: Unfounded (courtesy of Dictionary.com)

without foundation; not based on fact, realistic considerations, or the like

More puck prose: Kane-Panarin-Anisimov Line Dominating NHL

After two independent reviews (Erie County/NHL), both parties came to the exact same conclusion. In regard to the Patrick Kane investigation, this is a case closed situation. Kane has been absolved of all false accusations.

Any further use of the “R” word pertaining to the Blackhawks superstar is ignorant, rude, disgusting, and embarrassing – a few more animated words could be added to that list.

To imagine how much Patrick Kane has accomplished in 2015-16 with this mess in the background is quite astounding. The NHL’s league leader in points all-season long has shown no signs of slowing. Playing alongside KHL transfer Artemi Panarin, and newly acquired last offseason, Artem Anisimov – the trio have combined to arguably be the NHL’s best line in 2015-16.

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Having just surpassed his single-season high of 88 points, Kane has 38 goals, 51 assists (89 points) in 67 games so far. He’s on pace to finish in the same range as some of the NHL’s best in the salary cap era.

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