Buffalo would probably have to make him the highest paid winger allowable by the
CBA in order to land him. Is it worth it? Especially, since (at least we hope), they will have a lot of young talent to sign.
- buffalofan19

He will be the highest paid winger if he leaves in FA anyways.

Buffalo would probably have to make him the highest paid winger allowable by the
CBA in order to land him. Is it worth it? Especially, since (at least we hope), they will have a lot of young talent to sign.
- buffalofan19

They would have the money to do that. That's my point. The young talent they would have to sign are still affordable unless whichever player drafted this year puts up 70 points in their rookie season.

It's not something totally uncommon. I know Chicago fans hate to hear it but there is a possibility it happens (Kane leaving). I am not saying its a good possibility but I think his agent knowing what kind of money Pegula would throw at him would get him a great deal.

On this topic say Chicago had to choose Kane or Toews who would you rather have?
- Stripes77

I was in the Chicago forums a good bit these playoffs (til they just got their own mod this past week) and mentioned that Pegula will back up the money truck for Kane. He will get paid 10M per for a cap hit by Pegula, or higher if the bidding goes up.

I was in the Chicago forums a good bit these playoffs (til they just got their own mod this past week) and mentioned that Pegula will back up the money truck for Kane. He will get paid 10M per for a cap hit by Pegula, or higher if the bidding goes up.
- stashu

Every team would want to open up the check book for Kane the issue with that is can they all afford it under the cap...with the Sabres cap situation they could easily outbid every team. I am not say he will 100% chase the money but he could.

I was in the Chicago forums a good bit these playoffs (til they just got their own mod this past week) and mentioned that Pegula will back up the money truck for Kane. He will get paid 10M per for a cap hit by Pegula, or higher if the bidding goes up.
- stashu

I know I'm Debbie downer, but I don't see it s worth while. Great we have a 10 million dollar winger, who is centering him? Hodgson? Ennis? Some kid we draft who wont be truly NHL ready for 4 years?

They would have the money to do that. That's my point. The young talent they would have to sign are still affordable unless whichever player drafted this year puts up 70 points in their rookie season.
- Stripes77

I absolutely know they have the money to do it. I also know they are probably willing to do it, especially considering who the owner is. The issue becomes the fact that the $9 million plus cap hit becomes an issue not only the year they sign him, but just about every year he's under contract. If I had a team as deep as Chicago, with contracts in place, I'd be all for it. Free Agency seems to not work out more than it has, and when it does workout, it's usually because you got someone at low value. I love what Kane has done in the playoffs as much as anybody, but the odds of him having the same impact here are low.

I know I'm Debbie downer, but I don't see it s worth while. Great we have a 10 million dollar winger, who is centering him? Hodgson? Ennis? Some kid we draft who wont be truly NHL ready for 4 years?
- Buffalo-Sabres

He was the comeback for the Hawks in games 5 and 6 with linemates that weren't producing. Hodgson or Ennis would be fine, but the Sabres also have a top 2 pick this season, and if if they wait til he's a free agent, they likely have a top 5 pick next year as well.

Every team would want to open up the check book for Kane the issue with that is can they all afford it under the cap...with the Sabres cap situation they could easily outbid every team. I am not say he will 100% chase the money but he could.
- Stripes77

They'll be able to do it in 2015, 2016, and probably 2017. The issue becomes those later years. They're going to have a #2 pick this year, and most likely at least a top 5 pick next year. If those guys have the impact that we all hope they do, they're going to be up for big pay days. They seem to get bigger and bigger every year, and they seem to happen at younger ages as well.

I know I'm Debbie downer, but I don't see it s worth while. Great we have a 10 million dollar winger, who is centering him? Hodgson? Ennis? Some kid we draft who wont be truly NHL ready for 4 years?
- Buffalo-Sabres

He was playing with Shaw and Saad in the playoffs. He still produced. I'm not trying to start a debate on which team has better depth cause I am not that stupid but it's not like he was playing with superstars.

He was the comeback for the Hawks in games 5 and 6 with linemates that weren't producing. Hodgson or Ennis would be fine, but the Sabres also have a top 2 pick this season, and if if they wait til he's a free agent, they likely have a top 5 pick next year as well.
- stashu

I doubt the Blackhawks are shopping him in the offseason. They were an overtime away from getting to the Final this year. I can guarantee they plan on getting there next year. They don't do that without Kane.

I absolutely know they have the money to do it. I also know they are probably willing to do it, especially considering who the owner is. The issue becomes the fact that the $9 million plus cap hit becomes an issue not only the year they sign him, but just about every year he's under contract. If I had a team as deep as Chicago, with contracts in place, I'd be all for it. Free Agency seems to not work out more than it has, and when it does workout, it's usually because you got someone at low value. I love what Kane has done in the playoffs as much as anybody, but the odds of him having the same impact here are low.
- buffalofan19

He's a legit super star though. It would be like signing Ryan Suter as opposed to singing Ryan Callahan. I'm totally against going nuts in FA, but when someone of his caliber were to become available.... You do what you have to do IMO.

They'll be able to do it in 2015, 2016, and probably 2017. The issue becomes those later years. They're going to have a #2 pick this year, and most likely at least a top 5 pick next year. If those guys have the impact that we all hope they do, they're going to be up for big pay days. They seem to get bigger and bigger every year, and they seem to happen at younger ages as well.
- buffalofan19

Those players would get a Kane and Toews like contract like those two did when they got their first big contract. The cap will go up a bit so the dollar amount will be bigger but have the same percentage against the cap if they are who we want them to be. By the time those contracts are up Kane's next one should be coming to an end

Those players would get a Kane and Toews like contract like those two did when they got their first big contract. The cap will go up a bit so the dollar amount will be bigger but have the same percentage against the cap if they are who we want them to be. By the time those contracts are up Kane's next one should be coming to an end
- Stripes77

What's the max deal under the new CBA, for a player going to another team? 7? Whatever that number is, you're going to have to give him the term as well as the cash.

He's a legit super star though. It would be like signing Ryan Suter as opposed to singing Ryan Callahan. I'm totally against going nuts in FA, but when someone of his caliber were to become available.... You do what you have to do IMO.
- sbroads24

Maybe. I still think that, assuming Chicago does let him him Free Agency, it comes at the worst possible time for this franchise to sign him.

What's the max deal under the new CBA, for a player going to another team? 7? Whatever that number is, you're going to have to give him the term as well as the cash.
- buffalofan19

7 is correct...so thats when? 2023 when Kanes next contract expires (Buffalo). So say this years draft pick doesnt stay here this season his contract starts in 2015. SO his next contract ends in 2018-2019 season. He signs a 5 year deal and Kane is going into his last contract as a pro. It's very doable

Maybe. I still think that, assuming Chicago does let him him Free Agency, it comes at the worst possible time for this franchise to sign him.
- buffalofan19

I think its quite the contrary. It is the best possible time for the franchise to sign him. His 10-12 million cap hit isnt going to look that bad against a 80 million salary cap.

Maybe. I still think that, assuming Chicago does let him him Free Agency, it comes at the worst possible time for this franchise to sign him.
- buffalofan19

Think so? I think it would be the perfect time. We would be up and coming (hopefully) after another season or 2

7 is correct...so thats when? 2023 when Kanes next contract expires (Buffalo). So say this years draft pick doesnt stay here this season his contract starts in 2015. SO his next contract ends in 2018-2019 season. He signs a 5 year deal and Kane is going into his last contract as a pro. It's very doable
- Stripes77

I'm not convinced the draft pick doesn't stay here. If they're top 3 next year, that guy almost definitely doesn't stay here. Either way, I guess I'm just soured by Free Agency as a whole, even if it's the local boy.

I'm not convinced the draft pick doesn't stay here. If they're top 3 next year, that guy almost definitely doesn't stay here. Either way, I guess I'm just soured by Free Agency as a whole, even if it's the local boy.
- buffalofan19

How could any Buffalo fan not be soured by it?

I just think this would be the only time to be jazzed about it

He might have ZERO reasons to be unhappy there and I'll agree who would want to leave a team that's been that successful. But just to play devils advocate look at what Chris Drury did. He had said he would bring any offer to the Sabres to match but decided he was going home.

Kane is a god in this city. He is a large fish in a huge ocean in Chicago but he would own this city if he was in Blue and Gold.
- Stripes77

Drury also had that BS happen early in the season when he agreed to a contract but then Quinn wouldn't finalize the deal
Plus, I'm sure Drury talked to Briere and knew the San es weren't bringing him back
It would be like expecting Kane to Re-sign knowing Toews wouldn't be back...
It would be shocking if the Hawks didn't sign Toews. And it would be shocking if they didn't also offer Kane an extension

Also, when Drury went to the Rangers they were a pretty decent team
The Sabres are still quite a ways away
Is adding Reinhart/Bennett + McDavid/Eichel enough to convince Patty he can win here too?

I think its quite the contrary. It is the best possible time for the franchise to sign him. His 10-12 million cap hit isnt going to look that bad against a 80 million salary cap.
- Stripes77

If the Canadian dollar keeps plummeting, or even stays put (which is sounds like the Canadian government wants to see), you're not going to see that rapid increase in the salary cap. Things could change, but the salary cap era coincided with an era where the Canadian Dollar was on par with the US Dollar or even better more often that not. If this changes, so does the cap. I'm not sold on an $80 million cap by any means.

he has lost his wheels


kings had him on the 4th line for many games this post season

$5 says he is bought out, and IMO whoever signs him needs to be on a 2 or 3 year deal

I have not seen a player so young, decline so quickly in the NHL
- homiedclown

The way Cheechoo disappeared was pretty crazy to me

If the Canadian dollar keeps plummeting, or even stays put (which is sounds like the Canadian government wants to see), you're not going to see that rapid increase in the salary cap. Things could change, but the salary cap era coincided with an era where the Canadian Dollar was on par with the US Dollar or even better more often that not. If this changes, so does the cap. I'm not sold on an $80 million cap by any means.
- buffalofan19

I wouldn't say the Canadian dollar "plummeted". Its at 1.09 now, that's a few cents better than it had been. Canadian teams all sell out all their seat at higher prices than the US markets so I don't think the 9-10% loss in exchange is that bad for them.

Drury also had that BS happen early in the season when he agreed to a contract but then Quinn wouldn't finalize the deal
Plus, I'm sure Drury talked to Briere and knew the San es weren't bringing him back
It would be like expecting Kane to Re-sign knowing Toews wouldn't be back...
It would be shocking if the Hawks didn't sign Toews. And it would be shocking if they didn't also offer Kane an extension

Also, when Drury went to the Rangers they were a pretty decent team
The Sabres are still quite a ways away
Is adding Reinhart/Bennett + McDavid/Eichel enough to convince Patty he can win here too?
- jdfitz77

I fully expect the Sabres to outbid everybody should Kane hit the market. Unless someone like Craig Patrick or Tim Murray absolutely don't like the guy for one reason or another, it's going to happen. The question becomes what does he want more: the money or the championships? John Jaekel says that the rumor in Chicago is that he wants a quality 2C to play with. The Sabres, at best, by that time, will have 2 question marks that fans feel good about.

I fully expect the Sabres to outbid everybody should Kane hit the market. Unless someone like Craig Patrick or Tim Murray absolutely don't like the guy for one reason or another, it's going to happen. The question becomes what does he want more: the money or the championships? John Jaekel says that the rumor in Chicago is that he wants a quality 2C to play with. The Sabres, at best, by that time, will have 2 question marks that fans feel good about.
- buffalofan19

What if we sign Callahan for too much money this summer and blow the Kane opportunity next summer?