Sabres' Kane keeping focus on hockey

The Buffalo Sabres reported to Key Bank Center for training camp Thursday and we heard from forward Evander Kane for the first time in months. Kane's summer was surrounded by controversy off the ice--and while he didn't say say much about the offseason, he did say he needs to be smarter.

"You know these situations, they are what they are, they happen to athletes and people in a position such as myself and those are things you kind of have to deal with, they come with the territory" Kane said. "In saying that, you have to be a little more aware and kind of put yourself on a higher pedestal."

"I'm getting older, I'm maturing. Every day you get more mature," - Evander Kane #Sabres @WKBW

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 22, 2016

Kane was the last of seven players to talk with reporters on Thursday. A few of Kane's teammates were asked about the 25-year-old forward and his summer, including Sabres captain Brian Gionta.

"I would hope he wants to stay a little more low profile around things. You know on the ice, I think he can give us a certain dimension that we need and that we want -- for a teammate to come in and work hard, the way he does, and play the way he does."

Evander Kane says he has not heard from the league & he has not spoken with ownership #Sabres

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 22, 2016

Gionta said that he's talked with Kane, and the conversation will remain private, but he hopes he'll continue to mature as his career goes forward.

"Whenever you represent a team you want to represent it with the best character and have those character guys and you're representing the logo and that's what everyone has to have in mind no matter what you're doing."

Kane was asked about Gionta's comments and if he think he's doing a good job representing the organization.

"I think I do it pretty well on the ice. I give everything I have on the ice. I think off the ice like I said these things unfortunately happen more often than not and they are only becoming more and more relavent each and every day if you look around the other sports and more me it's just about trying to stay out of that kind of stuff and kind of picking me spots better." 

Kane was asked if he thought he needed to represent the #Sabres organization better. Here's his response @WKBW pic.twitter.com/6OMFy0SUsR

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 22, 2016