There are usually at least a couple of Blackhawks that accompany Patrick Kane to the NHL's annual All-Star Game.
At least before Thursday Kane was all set to come to Nashville with captain Jonathan Toews, but Toews had to bow out of the festivities because of an illness.
That move enacted an NHL rule that says Toews must also sit out the Hawks' next game against the Avalanche on Tuesday, a rule that ruffled the collective feathers of Hawks fans on Thursday. Kane wasn't too happy about it either.
"It’s disappointing," Kane said. "I’m not really sure the rules of it or why that happens. Hopefully he can get better as soon as possible and definitely be ready for that game after. You look at our lineup and he’s a huge piece. We’ll definitely miss him for that game so hopefully some players can step up and it’ll be an important game coming back off the trip."
As you might expect, Avalanche center Matt Duchene had a slightly different perspective of Toews' suspension. When asked if he was relieved his team won't have to go up against Toews, Duchene said: "Absolutely."
"But I was disappointed," Duchene added. "Johnny is a good friend of mine and I think we would've ended up spending a good amount of time together. That's a big game coming off the break. Those are always tough because you're a little bit out of shape compared to what you were going in ... But to not go against one of the best players in the world is a good thing for us."
As for Kane, he said it would have been nice to have company in Nashville, but he is also glad his teammates are getting some rest.
"I think (Corey) Crawford is having a tremendous season, and you can go down the list with Duncs (Duncan Keith), Seabs (Brent Seabrook) and (Artemi) Panarin," Kane said. "I think it would’ve been fun for me to have those guys with me too. But you look at the other side, hopefully they’re getting nice rest and recovery for the upcoming part of the season, especially with our team, we’ve played a lot of hockey over the past few years."
At least before Thursday Kane was all set to come to Nashville with captain Jonathan Toews, but Toews had to bow out of the festivities because of an illness.
That move enacted an NHL rule that says Toews must also sit out the Hawks' next game against the Avalanche on Tuesday, a rule that ruffled the collective feathers of Hawks fans on Thursday. Kane wasn't too happy about it either.
"It’s disappointing," Kane said. "I’m not really sure the rules of it or why that happens. Hopefully he can get better as soon as possible and definitely be ready for that game after. You look at our lineup and he’s a huge piece. We’ll definitely miss him for that game so hopefully some players can step up and it’ll be an important game coming back off the trip."
As you might expect, Avalanche center Matt Duchene had a slightly different perspective of Toews' suspension. When asked if he was relieved his team won't have to go up against Toews, Duchene said: "Absolutely."
"But I was disappointed," Duchene added. "Johnny is a good friend of mine and I think we would've ended up spending a good amount of time together. That's a big game coming off the break. Those are always tough because you're a little bit out of shape compared to what you were going in ... But to not go against one of the best players in the world is a good thing for us."
As for Kane, he said it would have been nice to have company in Nashville, but he is also glad his teammates are getting some rest.
"I think (Corey) Crawford is having a tremendous season, and you can go down the list with Duncs (Duncan Keith), Seabs (Brent Seabrook) and (Artemi) Panarin," Kane said. "I think it would’ve been fun for me to have those guys with me too. But you look at the other side, hopefully they’re getting nice rest and recovery for the upcoming part of the season, especially with our team, we’ve played a lot of hockey over the past few years."
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