Hawks' Kane targeting season opener for return

It looks like Patrick Kane's recovery following surgery on his wrist might take longer than anticipated.

Kane, who was given a six-to-eight week recovery period following surgery July 19 to repair a scaphoid fracture in his left wrist, told The Fan 590 in Toronto on Tuesday that he is targeting Chicago's regular-season opener on Oct. 7 against the Dallas Stars.

"With the wrist injury all, I've really been able to do is kind of skate by myself," Kane told the station. "Not really with full equipment on, just kind of been skating with one hand out there. You still have to skate. That's kind of part of our job in the summer is to get ourselves ready any way we can. That's what I'm doing right now. Usually at this time of year I'd probably be skating with some of the (Buffalo) Sabres, whether it's just playing shinny or regular four-on-four games, which are always pretty fun to kind of help you get ready for the season. That's what I'd usually be doing but this summer has been a little bit different."

Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman told members of the media on Monday that Kane was on schedule to be ready for the start of training camp next month. Kane told the radio station Tuesday he's not ready to undergo his rigorous offseason routine to prepare for the start of training camp.

"I went to get it checked out (Monday) and everything seems to be checking in right now," Kane said. "(It was) good news (Monday) so I should be ready for the start of the season."

Kane produced 27 goals and 46 assists in 73 games last season. He chipped in a goal and five assists in a seven-game series loss to the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I still have a little cast on, so it's probably a little bit longer," Kane said. "I'm not really going to rush anything; we still have a lot of time. My goal is to be ready for the opening regular-season game. Obviously, you'd like to be back in training camp, but more importantly the date is Oct. 7 for our first regular-season game. That's kind of the date I'm working for. There's really no rush because things are going pretty well right now."