Patrick Kane apologized for an incident involving a Buffalo cab driver at the U.S. Olympic hockey camp on Monday. (Paul Beaty/Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and his cousin expect to avoid charges stemming from an incident with a Buffalo, N.Y., cab driver through a plea deal, according to the Buffalo News.

Sources told the paper that Kane and his cousin, James Kane, would either plead guilty to a violation such as harassment or disorderly conduct, or an adjournment that could see the charges dropped later.

Neither scenario would likely include jail time.

"I think everything is going to be wrapped up by the end of the week," one law enforcement source said. "All parties are working in that direction."

Kane, 20, and his cousin, James M. Kane, 21, were arrested early Aug. 9 in Buffalo after an incident with a cab driver. Both men were charged with felony robbery and misdemeanour counts of theft and criminal mischief; they pleaded not guilty.

Jan Radecki, the cabdriver, reported the two men beat him up after he told them he didn't have 20 cents change when they paid the fare.

The Erie County District Attorney's office presented the case to a grand jury, with a decision expected sometime later this week on whether the charges will be pursued.

Patrick Kane Kane made his first public comments about the incident on Monday at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill., where more than 30 players are taking part in a process to prepare the U.S. men's hockey team for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

"Because I've put myself in being in the wrong position at the wrong time I've caused a lot of pain for my family, my hometown of Buffalo, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Blackhawks and obviously the great fans we have here in Chicago, and for that part, I sincerely apologize," Kane said.

Kane said he could not comment on the details of the incident due to pending legal proceedings.