Joel Quenneville: No change in Patrick Kane's status with Blackhawks

DETROIT — Patrick Kane Jersey was not on the Blackhawks roster Wednesday night for their 4-1 exhibition loss to the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.

But for those wondering if that means a change in Kane's playing status, it was only a routine night off — even if Wednesday's developments in the sexual-assault investigation of an alleged incident at Kane's home in western New York were anything but routine.

Several of the Hawks' top players who participated in Tuesday's exhibition against the Red Wings at the United Center — including Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook — did not make the trip to Detroit.

Coach Joel Quenneville said he was not going to use his top players much in the preseason, and Wednesday was a rest day for most of those who played Tuesday.

After Thomas J. Eoannou, the attorney for Kane's accuser, said Wednesday that a police evidence bag in the case had been tampered with and the Hamburg Police Department said no evidence had been tampered with under its control, Quenneville said Kane's playing status with the Hawks has not changed.

The Blackhawks bungled Kane crisis: Here's how to fix it

In a world of instant communications and 24/7 news cycles, most organizations protect their image by maintaining a crisis communications manual that is continuously updated and reviewed. Why? Because every PR crisis is an opportunity to place your organization on the right side of the issue in question.

In the case of the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey, it appears their crisis communications manual needs updating.

As soon as word got out that franchise star Patrick Kane had been accused of sexual assault, the crisis manual should have suggested an immediate assessment of all the facts; designation of a representative to speak for the team; and development of a message enlarging the issue's context and repositioning the organization.

By most accounts in the media, the Hawks fumbled the play.

The Hawks are this city's most vibrant sports organization, the premier hockey franchise in North America and fine community citizens—a marketing dream for any communications professional. I wish the Hawks had gotten out front of this before training camp.

The much-criticized news conference of last week, with Kane's awkwardly worded statement and refusal to answer questions, was well-intentioned but bungled.

The crisis manual tells you that targets of legal investigations should never address the media. If necessary, they read a statement but then exit the room. Reporters and lawyers understand and expect this routine.

News conferences with messages about this great hockey franchise, its record of great success, the exciting upcoming season, the new team chemistry, etc., should be left to another time and location. You never mix messages.

Blackhawks' Dano looks to cash in on 'lottery' line

The Chicago Blackhawks appear to be welcoming newcomer Marko Dano with open arms.

Acquired in the blockbuster offseason deal that sent Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 20-year-old Dano began training camp by being placed on a stacked line with fellow Slovak Marian Hossa and captain Jonathan Toews Jersey.

"That's the lottery spot when you get to play on that line," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers.

Dano paid immediate dividends in one scrimmage this weekend by scoring three goals.

The 27th overall selection of the 2013 draft, Dano collected eight tallies and 13 assists in 35 games with the Blue Jackets last season. The 5-foot-11, 178 pounder was acquired a seven-player deal on July 1 that saw forwards Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp join Chicago for Saad, fellow forward Alex Broadhurst and defenseman Michael Paliotta.

Dano would love to duplicate the success of Saad, who set career highs with 23 goals and 29 assists in 82 games with the Blackhawks last season.

Blackhawks' Dano gets chance on 'lottery line'

Chicago Blackhawks Jersey forward Marko Dano has impressed early in training camp and is relishing the chance to skate on the same line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

Dano, acquired in the offseason trade that sent Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets, is 20 years old and has 35 games of NHL experience, but those facts may not prevent him from skating on the Blackhawks' top line when Chicago opens the season on Oct. 7 against the New York Rangers at United Center (NBCSN).

It's also been beneficial that Dano, like Hossa, hails from Slovakia.

"They're great players and there's a lot of what I can learn from them, so I'm real excited about being in a line with them," Dano told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday. "Hossa is basically helping with everything, what I need. He's a good veteran and also my countryman, so he's helping me out to get to know the guys. He's been real nice to me."

Dano, a first-round pick by Columbus (No. 27) at the 2013 NHL Draft, had eight goals and 13 assists in his brief stint with the Blue Jackets last season. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is referring to the Dano-Toews-Hossa trio as the "lottery line" due to what seems to be an infinite amount of chances to score.

"I noticed his quickness, I know he had a little pace to him," Quenneville said. "He's definitely got some size. He doesn't look like he's that big, but he's powerful. Maybe low is stature, but he's thick and he's big and he's got some strength in the puck area. I didn't mind him."