Blackhawks place Patrick Kane on long-term injured reserve

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Patrick Kane on the long-term injured reserve after he was injured during Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers. While chasing the puck, Kane lost his edge, perhaps with a little help from Florida’s Alex Petrovic’s shove from behind, slid to his knees and slammed into the boards with his left shoulder.

**Update: The Blackhawks announced Wednesday evening that Kane will need up to 12 weeks for a full recovery.**

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Patrick Kane on the long-term injured reserve after he was injured during Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers, the team announced on Wednesday.

While chasing the puck, Kane lost his edge, perhaps with a little help from Florida’s Alex Petrovic’s shove from behind, slid to his knees and slammed into the boards with his left shoulder. Petrovic was given a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking, during which Chicago scored its first goal of the game in an eventual 3-2 shootout win.

• Kane's injury will surely put Blackhawks to the test

The Blackhawks later announced that Kane would not return to the game due to an upper-body injury. According to Chicago Tribune reporter Chris Kuc, he could be out for 6-10 weeks.

Another source said #Blackhawks' Patrick Kane will be sidelined more than six weeks and possibly up to 10-plus weeks.

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) February 25, 2015

Hearing it is a broken collarbone for #Blackhawks' Patrick Kane but that is NOT confirmed.

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) February 25, 2015

In 61 games this season, the 26-year-old Kane has 27 goals and 37 assists for a share of the league scoring lead with 64 points.

- Katie Brown