Patrick Kane will reconsider playing in Europe next week after playing in the 'Champs for Charity' game on October 26. Kane will have a very good idea at that time whether or not an agreement has been reached or is close between the NHL and NHLPA as to a new CBA. If not, look for Kane to take his talents to Europe for the remainder of the lockout. Kane slumped a bit last season with only 66 points, the first time in his career that he has been below the 70 point mark.

Patrick Kane was on the brink of signing in Europe, but he has decided to stick in the United States for now. We can only hope his stay is permanent as that will likely mean the season was saved. "Yeah, I would say I was close maybe a week or two ago to going over," Kane said."But it was just kind of wait for the right situation and things like that. You hear about this game and you hear the negotiations are going better and you don't want to make any rush to get over there and have to come back in a couple weeks. We'll see what happens with the negotiations." Kane will participate in the Blackhaws' charity game next week.

This from Chicago Blackhawks superstar forward Patrick Kane, on the NHL's lockout of players: "One side is going to have to give (some) for the other one to. We just want to be playing hockey. As fun as it is to sit on the couch all day at home and do nothing, it starts getting boring after a while." The NHL and the union had two negotiating sessions Friday, the first since Sept. 12. Five hours of talks produced agreements on minor issues such as players' safety and drug testing. The heavy lifting -- the division of hockey-related revenue and increasing revenue sharing among teams -- isn't scheduled to be addressed. But if things go well with the smaller issues, the belief is that will lead to discussion of core economic points. "We're hoping those little things move into bigger things and those big things go into (hockey-related revenue) and they figure out some of those things," Hawks center Dave Bolland said. Added Hawks captain Jonathan Toews: "Anything we can agree on is progress. . There's more to it than just what everyone has been talking about lately. A lot of issues need to be discussed."

Patrick Kane has been focused on improving his skating over the summer. "I've skated a lot more this offseason and looking back to when I was the best I was, I skated a lot," Kane said. "There would be times throughout the summer I'd be on the ice three, four or five times a week. That's what I tried to get back to . and just be on the ice a lot more." Kane is one of the many locked out players toying with the idea of playing in Europe.

Patrick Kane is still weighing his options when it comes to playing in Europe. "When that time comes, (and) I don't know when that will be or where I'll be or who I'll be with . it's something you have to look at," Kane said. "The summer has been long enough . (and) we all want to play hockey." For now, Kane has been skating with some of his teammates as he prepares for a season that might not even happen. Kane is looking to rebound after recording a career-low 66 points in 2011-12.

Add Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to the list of players considering Europe as an option to play this year in the event of a lockout. Their agent, Pat Brisson, told the Sun-Times via email on Thursday that his clients would consider playing in Europe "under the right circumstances and appropriate time." Like most players they are waiting to see what happens in the current CBA negotiations before making any decisions.

Patrick Kane spoke out about the pictures he was in while intoxicated during Cinco de Mayo weekend. "It was embarrassing, that's the first thing I can say. All of the pics that came out, everything, disappointment from the Hawks organization to myself," Kane said. "I try to pride myself on being involved with the fans, taking pictures when asked for them, because I was that little kid once who looked up to stars. But it's something hopefully I can learn and mature from. That's not who I want to be. I want to be a role model to kids, to everyone for that matter. I'm looking to put it behind me and try to move forward and be the best person I can be." When asked, Kane said he didn't have a problem with alcohol.

Patrick Kane may not start the season for the Chicago Blackhawks as the second line center. Pane was moved to center during the 2011-12 season as the Blackhawks were in dire need of help down the middle. At the end of the season it was assumed that Kane would fill that role again, but GM Stan Bowman took a different stance on Friday stating that "it was an option for us".

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews let Patrick Kane know that the team is behind him after pictures surfaced of him intoxicated on Cinco de Mayo. "I just texted him to kind of let him know that the guys on our team, we're behind him," Toews said. "He's been through some tough things. Obviously, it's arguable if those things happen for a reason or not. I think he's still learning.

Patrick Sharp is supportive of Patrick Kane after Kane was photographed in some drunken activities. "(Kane) lives a pretty famous lifestyle," Sharp said. "Everyone can recognize him wherever he goes, and he's in the public eye quite a bit. He's my friend, he's my teammate, I love the guy and I'm going to be behind him no matter what happens. He's the same great kid that he's always been." The Chicago Blackhawks have handled the matter internally, but GM Stan Bowman was "disappointed" with the situation.