Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Blackhawks hoping, waiting for good news on Patrick Kane

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls were able Monday to put Derrick Rose through his first contact since the guard underwent surgery last month.

The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping similar news will arrive soon about Patrick Kane, who also had surgery last month. Kane’s 12-week timetable hasn’t changed since the forward suffered a fractured clavicle Feb. 24, but it hasn’t stopped Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville from sounding as if Kane could be back sooner than first expected.

“You watch him today, he does everything you want him to do, or he wants to do, so I guess now we’ll just listen,” Quenneville prior to Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. “I would feel he would be ready to go as soon as he gets [medical] clearance. So that’s what we’re waiting for.

“I think there’s been excellent progress, so it could be good news, but we’ll see.”

As with Rose, being cleared for contact will be a major hurdle for Kane.

“Not to get too technical on the injury itself, but you’re coming off an injury, the physicality part is always a test,” Quenneville said. “So I think that’s all part of it.”

Kane was tied for the league lead in points prior at the time of his injury, with 27 goals and 37 assists in 61 games. The Blackhawks have gone 9-4-1 without Kane in the lineup.

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