A grand jury investigation probing sexual assault allegations made against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane has been postponed amid swirling reports that the two sides may be working on a settlement agreement.

According to the Buffalo News, plans calling for the grand jury to start hearing witnesses were abruptly scuttled on Tuesday with sources indicating the change of direction stems from the development of "ongoing settlement talks between attorneys for Kane and the alleged victim."

The 26-year-old NHL star has been accused by a woman of sexually assaulting her in his Hamburg mansion after meeting her at a downtown bar early last month. Reports are the woman told police she and another friend accompanied Kane to his residence to continue celebrating and once there he attacked her.

The Chicago Tribune reports the grand jury was scheduled to hear from both women during Tuesday's presumed opening day of testimony.

"I would have to conclude that if you cancel the grand jury after all this investigation, that means you have a problem going forward with the case," said former Erie County prosecutor Mark Sacha, who was also in charge of the district attorney's grand jury unit for several years.

The cancellation also comes on the heels Kane's agent Pat Brisson revealing to a Canadian sports station that he hopes to see the case resolved soon. He added that he is convinced his client did nothing wrong.

"Patrick's always been honest with me, and I do believe what he tells me," Brisson told Sportsnet earlier this week. "I believe he's innocent in this whole thing. But we got to follow the law, we've got to follow what's going on. The hardest part is to see people jump to conclusions that he's done this, he's done that."

The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks are scheduled to open preseason camp Sept. 18 in South Bend, Indiana. The team has declined to say whether Kane will join his teammates there.