Because of his jersey I am not curreently a Kesler fan, but in red with the Indian head I would sure would be a fan HUGE hurry. TT and $1.50 guarantees me a small coffee. Kesler and $1.50 guanrantees a small coffee and that the Hawks have a top end, ready made 1 2 punch at center for the next 5 years.
- paulr

Kesler and maybe Toews will not be able to stay healthy and AS productive as they have been come years four and five. Wear and tear from bruising style of play. Concussions will be a league wide issue, although for some reason that hasn't happened this season. Just saying beware. How much will your cup of caffeine be by then? Too much caffeine is a problem for many people. Too much ice given their style over many seasons may also prove costly.

Edit: how many gp each season will a healthy Kessler dress as anyone's #2 center?

No (frank)ing way. Let's see. We don't get Kesler for a repeat run, only for the following two seasons until he goes UFA. We lose Leddy, TT AND SHAW (???!!!), PLUS we have to dump Oduya to make cap room? That is not only one-sided, but deprives us of 2 centers to acquire one, halves our second and third pairings, AND leaves us STILL stuck with worthless (frank)ing Bickell.

Bowman would have to be nursing on a crack-mama's titty to accept such a deal, and Rocky should forbid it.
- Q...argh

I am 100% certain that if TT, Shaw, Leddy were going to VAN that the Hawks would be getting more than just Kesler in the deal.

If Kane doesn't want to resign. Ship his ass to the worst team in the league at the deadline next season.
- Elbows15

We have about 365 days to get a deal ironed out, starting July 1st. The Hawks will give Kane just about anything he wants. If he doesn't want to stay in Chicago, it won't be because the organization is being cheap.

If Kane doesn't want to resign. Ship his ass to the worst team in the league at the deadline next season.
- Elbows15

I think we're all jumping to the conclusion that Kane doesn't want to re-sign or is considering his options. At this point we just don't know what he's thinking but he has a good deal here in Chicago. Kane likes to win more than anything, where could he go and have a better chance at winning?

Keeping Kane happy (by getting Kesler) also would make him more productive. In any work environment people are more productive if they work with people they really like. Sure, the group now is great and they get along but if you can add one more to the mix then why not.

Our window of opportunity to win is now so why not make the most of it.

Realistically, either way it's a win for Chicago. We either move forward with the existing core and some good prospects or we add a top level talent to the team and lose some prospects/young players.

I fully agree. But i just dont think its worth the gamble based on the fact that this years team might very well win the Cup WITHOUT Kesler....Again, remind me how we've done in recent Cup runs without a legit 2C?
- SimpleJack

While that is the case, I am thinking that some added value that Kesler would bring would be to entice Kane to stay. If he is on the fence on whether to resign due to not having a true #2 center, Kesler may be the swaying factor. If adding Kesler allows Stan to keep Kane, great, do it

I fully agree. But i just dont think its worth the gamble based on the fact that this years team might very well win the Cup WITHOUT Kesler....Again, remind me how we've done in recent Cup runs without a legit 2C?
- SimpleJack

2 Cups and 2 craps

Well exactly, he won two Cups and a Conn Smythe.

And to be fair Jonathan Toews has an amazing supporting cast around him. Patrick Kane is dragging around junk.

And one could argue that has played a major factor in his absence from recent MVP discussion.

It may matter, it may not matter, it could matter down the road. Look at the St Louis situation and how a good soldier for the most part demanded out of what looked like a decent situation in Tampa... Especially after dealing with them out of the mix for as long as they were.
- fattybeef

I agree that Kane has been shafted with Handzus and Versteeg as his main linemates this year and he has usually been stuck without the top supporting cast in the past as Q tries to spread out the attack. But it has been Quenneville that has kept him there so we should really be complaining about Q making Kaner unhappy...right??

No (frank)ing way. Let's see. We don't get Kesler for a repeat run, only for the following two seasons until he goes UFA. We lose Leddy, TT AND SHAW (???!!!), PLUS we have to dump Oduya to make cap room? That is not only one-sided, but deprives us of 2 centers to acquire one, halves our second and third pairings, AND leaves us STILL stuck with worthless (frank)ing Bickell.

Bowman would have to be nursing on a crack-mama's titty to accept such a deal, and Rocky should forbid it.
- Q...argh

Even with your doomsday scenario I do it.

I like Shaw but he is just a guy there are allot of similar players out there. Leddy is a 3rd pairing guy who I think will be over taken by Rundblad next season and no one knows what TT will amount to.

While that is the case, I am thinking that some added value that Kesler would bring would be to entice Kane to stay. If he is on the fence on whether to resign due to not having a true #2 center, Kesler may be the swaying factor. If adding Kesler allows Stan to keep Kane, great, do it
- ikeane

amen!

Correct.

And trading away a prospect who has never seen NHL ice and an underachieving defensemen that you could easily replace for an elite #2center makes all the sense in the World to help you win Cups now, and in the future.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Thats highly debatable. We'd lose a lot of defensive depth without Leddy or Oduya. So during the offseason everything would just switch from "what will we do about 2C?" to "what will we do about our thin blueline?". Could possibly keep that D in tact, AND have that future stud 2C by giving TT time and just banking on the team as it is to win the Cup(very possible).

Well exactly, he won two Cups and a Conn Smythe.

And to be fair Jonathan Toews has an amazing supporting cast around him. Patrick Kane is dragging around junk.

And one could argue that has played a major factor in his absence from recent MVP discussion.

It may matter, it may not matter, it could matter down the road. Look at the St Louis situation and how a good soldier for the most part demanded out of what looked like a decent situation in Tampa... Especially after dealing with them out of the mix for as long as they were.
- fattybeef

And 2 years ago Toews played with Brunette and Stalberg for like half the year. If Kane leaves because he has bad linemates for half a year then phuck him.

Its not vindictive. I am looking for the number 1 pick or top 3 at worst. McDavid or Eichels. Will take either one. Plus their best player, top 2 prospects and the next year's number 1.
- Elbows15

I was being sarcastic!

2 Cups and 2 craps
- fattybeef

Thats still more than any other team has to show for the past 4 years. Ill take 2 craps for every 2 cups anytime.

The Canucks would have to include a prospect in return too, maybe Gaunce or Shinkaruk.
- DarthKane

Won't be Shinkaruk. One of our only legitimate goal scoring prospects. Management thought he was the closest of our prospects to making the NHL this past season. We all know the Canucks need to score more

Interesting rumor. Seems like the makings of a good trade for both teams.

I think we're all jumping to the conclusion that Kane doesn't want to re-sign or is considering his options. At this point we just don't know what he's thinking but he has a good deal here in Chicago. Kane likes to win more than anything, where could he go and have a better chance at winning?

Keeping Kane happy (by getting Kesler) also would make him more productive. In any work environment people are more productive if they work with people they really like. Sure, the group now is great and they get along but if you can add one more to the mix then why not.

Our window of opportunity to win is now so why not make the most of it.

Realistically, either way it's a win for Chicago. We either move forward with the existing core and some good prospects or we add a top level talent to the team and lose some prospects/young players.
- DarthKane

The Hawks are all about Employee Engagement!

Its not vindictive. I am looking for the number 1 pick or top 3 at worst. McDavid or Eichels. Will take either one. Plus their best player, top 2 prospects and the next year's number 1.
- Elbows15

No one with a shot at the top 2 in 2015 is trading the pick.

No one with a shot at the top 2 in 2015 is trading the pick.
- rollpards19

Are you so sure Buffalo wouldn't for Kane?

I think we're all jumping to the conclusion that Kane doesn't want to re-sign or is considering his options. At this point we just don't know what he's thinking but he has a good deal here in Chicago. Kane likes to win more than anything, where could he go and have a better chance at winning?

Keeping Kane happy (by getting Kesler) also would make him more productive. In any work environment people are more productive if they work with people they really like. Sure, the group now is great and they get along but if you can add one more to the mix then why not.

Our window of opportunity to win is now so why not make the most of it.

Realistically, either way it's a win for Chicago. We either move forward with the existing core and some good prospects or we add a top level talent to the team and lose some prospects/young players.
- DarthKane

You missed the first word in my post DK. It began with IF. I think its all dust in the wind. More a point that Kane doesn't hold all the cards in this.

Even with your doomsday scenario I do it.

I like Shaw but he is just a guy there are allot of similar players out there. Leddy is a 3rd pairing guy who I think will be over taken by Rundblad next season and no one knows what TT will amount to.
- paulr

Ladies & Gents we have a winner!

Shaw IS just a guy (so many similar players like him in the NHL)
Leddy is indeed a third pairing guy right now

And, as I previously stated, we have zero clue if TT will ever amount to what we already know Kesler is - an elite #2 Center.

And 2 years ago Toews played with Brunette and Stalberg for like half the year. If Kane leaves because he has bad linemates for half a year then phuck him.
- rollpards19

Well he won two Cups as Toew's side kick. And Toews has never ever not had a high end player on his line. Always one of Sharp Kane or Hossa.

Not unreasonable for the player to want a new challenge where he has an opportunity to be the focal point and collect some personal accolades.

While that is the case, I am thinking that some added value that Kesler would bring would be to entice Kane to stay. If he is on the fence on whether to resign due to not having a true #2 center, Kesler may be the swaying factor. If adding Kesler allows Stan to keep Kane, great, do it
- ikeane

.

I refuse to believe that Kane is gonna decide to leave based on the 2C position, the same postion thats been vacant during his 2 Cup runs. Hell, he'll probly be playing with Toews again before this years said and done. And if TT can impress then id hope Kane will be pumped about that and not looking forward to a Kesler trade.

I agree that Kane has been shafted with Handzus and Versteeg as his main linemates this year and he has usually been stuck without the top supporting cast in the past as Q tries to spread out the attack. But it has been Quenneville that has kept him there so we should really be complaining about Q making Kaner unhappy...right??
- EnzoD

Since when? And if Kane played any defense he'd play with Toews more.

Thats highly debatable. We'd lose a lot of defensive depth without Leddy or Oduya. So during the offseason everything would just switch from "what will we do about 2C?" to "what will we do about our thin blueline?". Could possibly keep that D in tact, AND have that future stud 2C by giving TT time and just banking on the team as it is to win the Cup(very possible).
- SimpleJack

You're missing the point - no one has any clue if TT will amount to anything more than a 2nd or 3rd line winger. We already know what Kesler is.

If this is all true it would be foolish not to make the deal.

Please, do not overrate Shaw. Nice player, but lots more of them in the league to be found than Keslers. Much easier piece to replace.

Kane + Kesler + ? on a second line behind 19/81/10. WOW. Going to give any opponent fits since the Hawks have about twenty players to cycle through the bottom six to build two solid lower lines. Opponents' forecheck will become backcheck.

Are you so sure Buffalo wouldn't for Kane?
- paulr

Idk. I'd bet not, but say this summer the Hawks crap out, Kane makes it clear he's not resigning and we go to Buffalo saying he want your first next year, I think they say no. Important hockey people are really convinced that McDavid is going to be great