With my one-time experience with Buffalo cab drivers, I’m on Kane’s side here.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 10:04 AM ET

Wow, can’t wait for more details on this one. Would be a garbage way to start off the season for PK.

Posted by Mother Pucker Hockey from Edmonton on 08/09/09 at 10:21 AM ET

With my one-time experience with Buffalo cab drivers, I’m on Kane’s side here.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 11:04 AM ET

Tried to stiff you during a visit, did they?  That’s a shame.

He’s known in Buffalo, so if some cabbie saw this as a way to cash in on his fame, it’s a shame - but not unusual.  Kane had better get used to it quickly if that is the case, as it won’t be the first time he is seen as a target by others.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/09/09 at 10:51 AM ET

Well, assuming Kane actually did this- and I have no experience with Buffalo cabbies, so I’ve got no reason to suspect a set-up- Stan Bowman’s cap management strategy next year just got a whole lot simpler…

Posted by mudshark on 08/09/09 at 11:29 AM ET

How much money was he looking to get back?  TSN.ca is saying it was over $1.80?!?!

i’m assuming he wasn’t in the greatest frame of mind at 5am…

If true, makes you appreciate some of the other great young players that are not getting themselves in these postions.

Posted by Howie on 08/09/09 at 11:36 AM ET

Bah ...

Won’t be the LAST time.  Stupid late nights lead to stupid typing.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/09/09 at 11:38 AM ET

As Bo Schembechler used to say, “nothing good ever happens after midnight”.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/09/09 at 11:39 AM ET

buddy, how cheap can you be?  guy makes millions and the cab fair is 13.80.  He hands him 15, and the guy gives him back a dollar.  He says he didnt have 20 extra cents.  GOD.  I know for sure if it was me, i wouldnt even bother asking for the 1.20 back.  But kane punches the guy in the face and takes back the cash for only 20 cents?  Wtf were they thinking.  That is likeTPSH stupid.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 11:43 AM ET

It’s a shame Chicago can’t get their shit together off the ice. You know, except that I couldn’t care any less about the Hawks.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/09 at 11:48 AM ET

The nightmare off season continues for the Hawks

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 08/09/09 at 12:03 PM ET

Tomas Kopecky could have covered the difference, a million times over, if he hadn’t spent it all on a gold and bejewelled chalice and scepter.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 08/09/09 at 12:08 PM ET

The nightmare offseason continues for the WINGS!

Losing the cup at home in game 7 to Sid the Kid.

Worse than anything that’s happened to the Hawks.

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 08/09/09 at 12:15 PM ET

I find it kind of funny that the Blackhawks have not come out with a release yet.

They sell a season ticket and we hear about it, but this happens, crickets!

Posted by Grant on 08/09/09 at 12:17 PM ET

Now we know why the Hawks seem to be putting their eggs in Toews’ basket.
He’s a better player and definitely a better leader who is much more mature. And I’m pretty sureToews wouldn’t be looking for $0.20 change from $15.00 on a $13.80 cab ride.

Posted by Lindas1st on 08/09/09 at 12:26 PM ET

In a late twist, Kane is countercharging the cabbie for stealing his mouthguard in the melee.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 08/09/09 at 01:09 PM ET

Horrible offseason for the Wings?  Haha riiight.  Sure it sucks we didn’t win last year..but at the end of the season it came down to one goal in the last game.  And we’ll have our what..18th straight shot at the cup again this year?  Yeah it’s a real rough life..

Posted by DZ from MI on 08/09/09 at 01:15 PM ET

It sounds like they weren’t at the destination they were aiming for at five am. I bet this cabbie was jerking them around, trying to cash in on PK’s celebrity. The Kanes recognized this, got pissed off, and asked to be let off where they were. After it getting to that point, I could see why a transparent “no change” ploy MIGHT have pissed them off further.

Posted by wflan on 08/09/09 at 01:31 PM ET

plz.  he gave him 15.  Would you knock out a cabbie cause he woudlnt give you 20 cents change.  so what i fhe dindt have change.  that is nothing to him.
Hell, 20 cents is nothing to at least 99 percent of the people here.  Kane was just being a cheap ass, 9/10 people wouldn’t even ask for a 1.20 change back and leave it as tip.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 01:35 PM ET

Kid just tarnished his image over 20 cents. god these athletes are cheap

Posted by FlyersFan on 08/09/09 at 01:39 PM ET

I’m sure the cabbie is a blameless angel in this entire situation.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 01:45 PM ET

obviously the cabbie isn’t blameless.  But that’s besides the point.  Your a hockey player who 19 and is making millions of dollars.  Obviously your going to get a lot of shit from people trying to cash in on you.  But small things like 20 cents is not enough of a reason for you to tarnish your image.  Especially right after he got announced as cover star for a hockey game.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 01:53 PM ET

In a late twist, Kane is countercharging the cabbie for stealing his mouthguard in the melee.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 08/09/09 at 02:09 PM ET

Awesome. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/09/09 at 02:12 PM ET

I’m nearly ten years removed from 19 years of age and I have never made millions, but I’m not so far away from my youth that I don’t think I would have punched a cabbie who jerked me around.  The amount is meaningless until we know all of the details. 

If you want to define a person by one bad night at age 19, then I’m sure we’re all hopeless criminals.  I won’t hold the kid up to some impossible standard and I won’t consider his image tarnished without knowing exactly what lead to this confrontation.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 02:13 PM ET

Oh for God’s sakes.  I’m sure the cab driver was no angel but I’d be just as likely to bet that Kane and his cousin weren’t sober.  (Underage drinking on Chippewa Street?  Who would of thunk it?).  I don’t care if you are sober or if the cabbie is a jerk off, losing your shit and roughing up a cab driver over 20 cents isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do regardless if you’re professional hockey player or not.  Now he’s facing a felony and a couple of misdemeanor charges.

Posted by Django on 08/09/09 at 02:22 PM ET

If you want to define a person by one bad night at age 19, then I’m sure we’re all hopeless criminals.  I won’t hold the kid up to some impossible standard and I won’t consider his image tarnished without knowing exactly what lead to this confrontation.

Fair enough.  Although I’m not sure I’d consider not getting arrested for assault at 19 as an impossible standard. 

I just can’t get behind the poor Patrick Kane, cab driver had it coming line of thought.  Then again, who knows what really happened.  This is all just supposition on my part until more facts come out.

Posted by Django on 08/09/09 at 02:31 PM ET

Im pretty sure he wasn’t sober either.  Now, the cabbie will probably press charges and sue kane for damages and injuries.  Looks like the cabbie will still get his tip, and I’m pretty sure its going to be a lot more than 20 cents.
If everybody knocked out a cabbie over a 20 cents it would be a violent word.  Let it go and walk away.  Kane has a lot more to lose than the cabbie does.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 02:35 PM ET

I’m not saying what he did was smart, I’m just not closing the book on the kid yet.  No doubt he made a mistake and he should pay for it, but considering his youthful indiscretion didn’t kill a teammate or end somebody’s career, I say give him a break.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 02:35 PM ET

Fair enough.  Although I’m not sure I’d consider not getting arrested for assault at 19 as an impossible standard.

Good point; I should have worded that better.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/09 at 02:39 PM ET

I am not condeming him for this stupid mistake.  I’m just commenting on how STUPID of a mistake it is. I mean, it is TPSH stupid.  The fact that he is trying to plead not guilty to it is puzzling as well.  I thought it was mandatory to have cameras installed in cabs, if so there is video evidence that shows exactly what happens. 
WE will know the final story in a bit, im curious to see how this turns out.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 02:41 PM ET

I’d just like to pause the discussion briefly to appreciatively note that the phrase, “TPSH stupid,” has entered common parlance.

“pay91” 

Hilarious.

Posted by mudshark on 08/09/09 at 02:59 PM ET

The nightmare offseason continues for the WINGS!

Losing the cup at home in game 7 to Sid the Kid.

Worse than anything that’s happened to the Hawks.

Yeah, all those Stanley Cups, Cup Final appearances, Western Conference titles, Central Division titles, and President’s Trophies were definitely worse than anything that happened to the Hawks over the same period of time (you know, where they languished in the bottom third of the league almost every season).

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/09 at 03:06 PM ET

If you haven’t seen the pictures on the post on James Mirtle’s site yet, take a look - they are quite amusing.  It looks like his new nickname is “20 Cent.”

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/09/09 at 03:33 PM ET

If you haven’t seen the pictures on the post on James Mirtle’s site yet, take a look - they are quite amusing.  It looks like his new nickname is “20 Cent.”

Oh internet, is there anything you can’t do?

Posted by Django on 08/09/09 at 03:56 PM ET

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 08/09/09 at 01:15 PM ET

and in other news, jimmy is wearing sidney crosby for a condom.

Posted by Jeebus on 08/09/09 at 04:04 PM ET

He may be 20 but it is time to grow up. Hanging out at 5am on the town can’t lead anywhere good. Very likely the cabbie has dirty hands on this deal, but Kane can’t win the PR battle, so he needs to wise up! Can’t say I was any smarter at that age, but when you are worth millions you don’t get the choice of youthful indiscretion some of the rest of got. It may not be fair, but that is reality.

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 08/09/09 at 04:08 PM ET

ok, Kane is not making millions of dollars he would have been a year away from that still, but who knows now. and that red wings fan needs to shut up. just cause his team is full of has beens and the hawks are up and coming. and with kane, he’ll plead down, still play for team USA and still be on the hawks next year, and more than likely way down the road

Posted by Joshua from Indiana on 08/09/09 at 04:29 PM ET

The Buffalo News and Chicago Sun-Times have updated their stories.

I don’t care if Kane kicks puppies in his spare time…When you’ve got an athlete getting into an altercation on a Saturday night, a cab driver pressing felony charges, and no real news from a police force that seems content to let this story simmer and be picked up by the drudge-diggers…

As a Red Wings fan, I think that Patrick Kane acts like a punk on the ice.  As a Red Wings fan, I also think that there’s not enough information to provide much more than a fuzzy cellphone picture’s worth of context here.  Was there alcohol involved?  Did the cab driver want to make a fast buck?  Who instigated what and with whom, and how did parties X, Y, and Z respond?

I lived in a college town long enough to know that sometimes athletes can do incredibly stupid things over a tip or change, especially when various intoxicants were added to the mix, but I also know that there are those who see who’s on their tab, and pretty soon, an expletive becomes aggravated assault with intent to do bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and some sort of underage drinking charge within three seconds. 

Patrick Kane the hockey player, we know.  We also know that, for now, Kane’s reputation and marketability hinge upon the fact that two paragraphs’ worth of alleged behavior that may or may not have much to do with what really happened.

I see no point in engaging in finger-wagging at yet another professional athlete fallen off the pedestal, nor do I see any point in letting the fact that I’m partisan as to this kid’s on-ice fortunes turn my expressing my opinion into a pissing contest.  Let’s see what happens on Monday before we all bury the kid.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 08/09/09 at 05:32 PM ET

Let’s see what happens on Monday before we all bury the kid.

Yep, I agree.

Posted by James Mirtle from Toronto on 08/09/09 at 05:49 PM ET

I can’t remember if Kane drives a murcielago or an f40…that’s enough to scream douche; this just solidifies it.  He’ll pay a fine and get probation…but that’s likely what most first time offenders would get in this situation (without the assault part).

Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 08/09/09 at 06:33 PM ET

The nightmare offseason continues for the WINGS!

Losing the cup at home in game 7 to Sid the Kid.

Worse than anything that’s happened to the Hawks.

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 08/09/09 at 01:15 PM ET

Totally, although I don’t see how this relates to the Wings at all, in any way.  Whatsof*ckingever.  So…yeah…right.  Ass.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 08/09/09 at 06:47 PM ET

ok, Kane is not making millions of dollars he would have been a year away from that still

Another “fan” who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Kane has been a millionaire for two years now, making $3.725M in each of the past two seasons. So, nothing the cabbie did, short of taking the first swing, justifies Kane’s actions.

...that red wings fan needs to shut up. just cause his team is full of has beens and the hawks are up and coming…

Again, the knowledge base is just amazing. Which “has beens” are you referring to? Zetterberg? Datsyuk? Franzen? Cleary? Kronwall? Stuart? Ericsson? Helm? Or maybe you’re thinking of that has-been that no other team in the League would want on their team…Lidstrom?

and with kane, he’ll plead down, still play for team USA and still be on the hawks next year…

We’ll there’s no doubt he’ll “plead down” in order to avoid jail time. And there’s no doubt he’ll be on the Hawks roster this coming season. But, if the facts show that he did assault the cabbie, I’d be shocked to see him on the U.S. Olympic squad. Those folks actually do care about things like assault.

I know this is all pretty confusing for you, Joshua. But take heart in knowing that next year in the third grade, they’re going to not only teach you about hockey reality but they’re going to spend an entire week on identifying where the Shift key is on your keyboard. 

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/09/09 at 06:56 PM ET

and that red wings fan needs to shut up. just cause his team is full of has beens

I seem to recall the 2009 WCF differently.  Hope you were taking notes, I know Kane wasn’t (he doesn’t strike me as a very good student).

Also, I feel bad for Kane.  Sort of.  I’m sure he’s being made out to look like more of a dick simply because he’s famous.  But really, 20 US cents?  Really?  What can you buy with that?  Can’t even buy bubble gum, or a handful of Runts(tm) with that money.  Dapper Dan cans?  Maybe.  Perhaps.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 08/09/09 at 06:59 PM ET

Added video interview with cab driver in this KK post.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/09/09 at 07:53 PM ET

Something’s fishy in this story. The driver and the witness who called the cops are probably cousins and made the story up.

Posted by Hurricane on 08/09/09 at 09:24 PM ET

The driver and the witness who called the cops are probably cousins and made the story up.

And another idiot is heard from. A 50-something cabbie with two black eyes made up the story about being assaulted? And somehow a witness to the event is the cabbie’s cousin? Brilliant. The number of mindless fools on the Internet never ceases to amaze me.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/09/09 at 10:23 PM ET

I love red wings. Wish them luck in this season. Anyways Guys have your tried personalizing your hockey ball? i tried one my picture was on it. And me and my gang play hockey i use my personalize ball. lol.

Posted by Hockey Addict from California on 08/09/09 at 10:38 PM ET

That is likeTPSH stupid.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 08/09/09 at 12:43 PM ET

I bow to you in gratitude sir. You have expanded the internetses vocabulary with this gem.

And so dawns a new day of hope, joy and awesome on this world.

Posted by Osrt on 08/10/09 at 01:14 AM ET

OlderThanChelios: And another idiot is heard from. A 50-something cabbie with two black eyes made up the story about being assaulted? And somehow a witness to the event is the cabbie’s cousin? Brilliant. The number of mindless fools on the Internet never ceases to amaze me.

Hey, OlderThanChelios, I bet you believe everything they say and write, especially when celebrities are involved. A dull life in Grand Rapids or just a solidarity for the 50-something cabbie? You gotta be a Red Wings supporter, ain’t ya?

Posted by Hurricane on 08/10/09 at 02:25 AM ET

Hey, OlderThanChelios, I bet you believe everything they say and write, especially when celebrities are involved.

Well, apparently you’re dumb enouigh to believe the cabbie blacked both of his eyes himself. And, yes, what I said certainly was “solidarity for the 50-something cabbie.”

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/10/09 at 09:04 AM ET

OlderThanChelios: Well, apparently you’re dumb enouigh to believe the cabbie blacked both of his eyes himself. And, yes, what I said certainly was “solidarity for the 50-something cabbie.”

Oh, I see. Anyone who doesn’t share your opinion is dumb. Did you see a photo of the cabbie? Those black eyes? What makes you think this is how everything happened? From the details provided by the press I assume there is much more to the story than that. Hey, I think the problem is that you don’t like rich and famous people and every time a story appears in the media, you support ordinary ones. Get a job!

Posted by Hurricane on 08/10/09 at 12:51 PM ET

Did you see a photo of the cabbie? Those black eyes?

Yes, I did. What’s your point?

What makes you think this is how everything happened?

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was the eye witness account that tipped the scales for me. Of course, you believe (without one shred of proof or even an allegation by anyone but yourself) that the witness is “probably” the cabbie’s cousin. Ludicrous.

...I think the problem is that you don’t like rich and famous people and every time a story appears in the media, you support ordinary ones.

Wow. You really do love to make stuff up don’t you? Hey, wait a minute. You’re really a Pens fan, aren’t you?

Get a job!

Yup. I knew it. When all else fails, out comes the Pens fans’ favorite mantra. So sad.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/10/09 at 05:39 PM ET

Have you already read an update about your cabbie, Chelios? It turns out the driver didn’t have a driver’s license and was convicted for drink driving twice before. http://www.thestar.com/article/679392 Who knows what we’ll learn next?

Come on now, do you really believe Patrick Kane could beat the sh*t out of the poor cabbie? Would you be on the cabbie’s side if it was Zetterberg or any other Red Wings player in Kane’s shoes? No, I’m a Blackhawks fan. What’s your favorite mantra? Grand Rapids is always right? And yea, learn to respect other’s opinion without calling him/her silly or dumb. If it’s okey in Grand Rapids, it isn’t okey in other parts of the world.

Posted by Hurricane from Chicago on 08/13/09 at 02:04 PM ET

I think Patrick Kane is a good kid and like he said - he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was 20 when this happened, and he wasn’t drunk or even had been drinking anything, which is a plus. Kane is a good kid, and being a teenager, I know we have all had slip ups and times we wish we could take back. Lay off, just because he’s famous doesn’t mean he’s not going to make some mistakes. Pat Kane, you are still a great role model.

Posted by Kathleen from Chicago on 01/18/10 at 12:35 PM ET