ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:41 PM)

Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane will be here at 2:45 p.m. ET to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (2:47 PM)

Patrick should be here soon!

Buzzmaster

  (3:01 PM)

I think I hear Patrick coming over here now!

Cory (Woodridge, IL)

How did you feel about being on the cover of NHL 10? Were you scared that there would be some sort of Madden-esque curse?

Patrick Kane

  (3:02 PM)

No, not scared about the curse. I think one of my things that's about the NHL and Madden, there is no Madden curse for the NHL game, hopefully that's in my favor and it doesn't start now. I've been a fan of the game since I was a kid. It really hit home when I started up the game and I saw myself on the startup page. It's cool that I'm 20 and am on the cover of the video game. A lot of kids play hockey and a few get drafted and only a few get to be on the cover. It's a great feeling.

Katie Garza (Chicago)

So Vince Vaughn was at the game saturday. What kind of things didhe talk to you guys about before or after the game?

Patrick Kane

  (3:03 PM)

Yeah, I met him in the lockerroom after the game. He was joking about how he was late to the game, because he was coming from the Notre Dame football game. It's pretty cool that he is a guy you can say hi to and laugh with. He invited us down to his place for his movie premiere called Couples Retreat.

Marco (Chicago)

Patrick, most of the nation has high hopes for this Blackhawk team considering you guys exceed all expectations last season. How has this team responded in the locker room, and can you guys channel that into a long run at the Stanley Cup?Go Hawks and have a great season!- Marco

Patrick Kane

  (3:05 PM)

I think it's the same group. The same atmosphere. I think last year was one of those years that you didn't want to end. Unfortunately it did end. This year, we're a year older and we added a guy like Hossa who will help us out a lot. Really, it will propel us to the next level. WE want to bring home the cup. It hasn't happened in a while. We don't want to leave this year to chance.

Jason (Ellicott City, MD)

You are only rated an 86 in NHL. What is up with that?

Patrick Kane

  (3:06 PM)

I think an 86 is pretty good to be honest with you. I think the highest are Crosby and 94 and Ovechkin at 92. I thought I'd be better than Teows, but I am still on the cover. I got him by that.

Stephan (Mizzou)

Where do you think is the best place in chicago to get deep dish pizza or a chicago style hot dog?

Patrick Kane

  (3:07 PM)

Deep dish pizza, I am right around the corner from Pizzaria Uno. So I have to go there. And I haven't had a Chicago style hot dog yet.

Thaddeus Keane (Buffalo, NY)

Has Chicago approached you about a contract extension? If they do turn it down and come home to the Sabres!

Patrick Kane

  (3:08 PM)

No, they haven't. We haven't talked much about the contract yet. We still have a year to play. We'll see how this year plays out. I'm pretty content in Chicago right now. I always go hoome to Buffalo in the offseason. I really enjoy my home town.

Eric Z (Chicago)

Hey Patrick, whats the worst thing about Toews as a roomate?

Patrick Kane

  (3:08 PM)

He likes to go to bed early. He likes to shut off the lights way too early and complaining about the TV being too loud. But overall he's all right. He likes to talk hockey and keeps me focused.

Greg Snyder (Frederick, MD)

What team in the Western Conf do you feel is the Team to beat this season?

Patrick Kane

  (3:09 PM)

Well, I think it's always going to be Detroit until someone says otherwise. I think San Jose. I think we will be up there too. We proved we could do it last year in the playoffs. Teams like San Jose and Detroit will always be up there in the top of the league.

Greg (Dallas)

Patrick, I'm sure you're tired about talking about it, but I was wondering what you're doing to just put that whole Buffalo incident behind you and learn from the past.

Patrick Kane

  (3:10 PM)

Yeah, it was a tough situation for myself and my family. I think you realize the support you have from everyone. That's one thing that really stuck out in my mind. It was a negative situation, but you try to take the positives from it. There are better things ahead for myself. You try to focus on that. You try to put it behind you and learn from it.

Dan ( Chicago)

My friend says that he swears he saw you at a karaoke night one time and that you were singing "Rock You Like a Hurrican" just like when you score a goal at the United Center....is that true or was he pulling my leg?

Patrick Kane

  (3:11 PM)

I am going to have to say no, he's just pulling your leg on that one. I don't remember a team karaoke night or me singing that one.

Mike S (Oswego, IL)

What are you more excited about, starting the season overseas, or the upcoming Olympic Games????

Patrick Kane

  (3:13 PM)

Right now, I'd probably have to say starting the season overseas. That's next on the list. That's a cool situation that not every team gets to do. It will be something that a lot of the players will have for the rest of their career. The Olympics are in the back of your mind. The playoffs will be starting for us in the October with the start of the season. I'm really looking forward to both.

dave (crystal lake)

hey pat, just wondering how much training you did in the off seaon to improve your game?

Patrick Kane

  (3:14 PM)

A lot of training. Probably the hardest I ever worked in my career. The Blackhawks gave me a pretty good program. You could go online and print out the day's schedule. It was probably 5-6 days a week, sometimes 4. I was in the gym 3.5 to 4 hours a day. I think this seaosn will prove how hard I worked this offseson.

Patrick Kane

  (3:15 PM)

Thanks for all the support from everyone, especially from what happened in the offseason. It's really greatly appreciate. Thanks for the support in the EA Sports game. The last couple of nights I've been up a little later than I should have been playing it. Enjoy the upcoming season, I think it should be a good season for the Blackhawks and myself too.