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After expressing his and the Blackhawk organization's "disappointment" yesterday in Patrick Kane for his well-publicized partying in Madison earlier this month, GM Stan Bowman then ended discussion, terming it "a private matter."

Talk about the tip of the iceberg.

I heard from three different sources yesterday regarding Kane's status, all of whom mentioned the possibility of Kane being traded. Allegedly—and let me stress this is only a rumor—in addition to the team's public displeasure over the Madison issue, the team may feel that Kane is not demonstrating enough willingness to learn from his mistakes.

Another source mentioned Columbus, Montreal and Anaheim as teams rumored to have been involved in discussions surrounding Kane. I had previously heard about Montreal from a separate source.

A rumor I heard a few weeks ago about Kane and the Blue Jackets involved Rick Nash. And I would assume any Kane deal would involve the Jackets' near-exile star winger. Also keep in mind that my friend Eric Smith, who covers the Jackets like a blanket, has reported that RJ Umberger, James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson are the new player leadership of the Blue Jackets, who GM Scott Howson is regularly discussing team issues with.

Wisniewski and Kane had a positive relationship when both were in Chicago, and Johnson is one of Kane's best friends, going back to their time together in the USNTDP in Ann Arbor.

I have no specific information on Anaheim players, but a likely suspect (as a starting point for a deal) would be winger Bobby Ryan. Ryan Getzlaf could also be a separate possibility.

While it is true Marian Hossa's recovery from concussion symptoms might impact the Hawks' desire to trade Kane, it is likely that any trade for Kane would involve a top 6 forward coming back—rendering any extra concern about Hossa moot.

Watch this situation. I am putting the likelihood of a Kane trade this summer at 50-50. You can be sure, based on Bowman's comments yesterday, if teams are calling about Kane, the Hawks are at least listening.


ODUYA NOW?


There are a few things you can take from the surprise contract extension announced yesterday for defenseman Johnny Oduya.

First, his signing and that of Jamal Mayers are further proof of Joel Quenneville's greater control over the roster. I was told this morning both were players Quenneville wanted back. And he got them.

The other thing is the overall makeup of the defense.

Either the Blackhawk defense is set—with Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith as the first pairing, Oduya and Nik Hjalmarsson as the second pairing and Nick Leddy and a presumably healthy Steve Montador as the third pairing—or there is another shoe or two yet to drop.

I believe the Hawks had or have interest in Ryan Suter. But maybe that interest has waned with the likelihood of Suter's resigning in Nashville or a bidding war erupting on 7/1. That said, I would not rule it out either. But for that to happen either Hjalmarsson needs to be traded or Montador would need to go on LTIR or retire.

During his press conference yesterday, Bowman said that Montador is in the same place Hossa is: ie, recovering from a serious concussion. Montador's latest concussion happened long before Hossa's did and he has had a history of concussions.

At the end of the day though, Montador would be a 5th or 6th defenseman on this club and if his health is an issue, he is replaceable by a serviceable veteran in the $1-2 million per year salary range.

The other issue is this, with Montador iffy at best, and Oduya and Leddy not being what you'd call physical defenseman, the steady Hjalmarsson is not so easily replaced if he's traded. You have Keith and Seabrook chewing up 25-27 minutes a night, but after that, you're getting into players who need to be complemented by steady, solid partners.

Hjalmarsson has been mentioned in a couple of trade rumors with Columbus, the most recent involving tough as nails Columbus d-man Marc Methot. That is a one for one swap that would make sense—and for both clubs. And it's another reason there could be a blockbuster deal on the horizon for these two teams.

Aside from that, the pickings get slimmer. If you deal Hjalmarsson before 7/1, you might not get equal value for the same or less money in free agency.

And in my opinion, with the Hawks' system, you could do a lot worse than Oduya and Hjalmarsson as a second pairing. Oduya played arguably the best hockey of his career last April, before wilting under an intense Phoenix forecheck in the playoffs. But that's where Hjalmarsson can help him, as opposed to Leddy, who also struggles with pressure in his end.

Still, a source told me last night that it is likely Hjalmarsson now gets dealt or Montador is removed from the picture somehow. So we'll see.

That's all for now, but if yesterday proves anything, it might not be long before some more dominoes fall.



JJ

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