I could see a potential deal with the Islanders where you have Kane coming to the Islanders for Okposo, Strait, and a couple of picks with the understanding that Okposo is signed long term. I think that Garth would have an edge by being able to ask Leddy about Kane and his issues. This would give the Islanders the 1 - 2 punch of Tavares and Kane up front and make room for a D prospect to strut his stuff. It would give the Black Hawks a solid winger and an improvement on D with a very dependable defensive defenseman and a couple picks for their clubs future or to use as trading pieces.

Last year Skinner had 18 goals, 13 assists for a whopping 31 pts versus Bickell's whopping 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 pts. There is a reason why Skinner has been the subject of rumors that Carolina wants out from under a bad contract.
- FourOrr

Skinner is way younger and plays a much more sustainable kind of game. If he can remain healthy, big if, he his a legitimate skilled goal scoring threat.

If Kane is exonerated/not charged, it would be monumentally stupid to get rid of him. Especially if the circumstances surrounding this were in any way found to be nefarious on the part of the accuser to extort money from Kane. For the team not to stand behind him in that scenario would just be wrong on so many levels.

If charged, it all takes care of itself and his career is finished. Deservedly so.

I think there is a great deal of truth in the statement that without him, absent signing a guy like Stamkos for example to replace him, the chances of winning another cup very soon are pretty slim. This brand's success comes from winning. Imagine the PR hit the team takes by NOT supporting someone not charged/found innocent....

No doubt all scenarios are on the table, as they should be, since as of now, no one knows the facts. But any outcome that finds him innocent/not charged but let go via trade or contract termination would just be dumb.

So replace Hanifin with Fleury and Seabrook/Hammer with Dailey
- FourOrr

Why? Canes would be giving up arguably the best defensive prospect in hockey. He has literally drawn Drew Doughty comparisons. For 2 aging defensemen 1 of whom will be looking for big money. And a pretty good top 4 d man already in his prime.

That's not quite accurate, the DA has joined the investigation. The investigation isn't finished. Ultimately the DA will decided to move forward to a grand jury, bring charges, or determine there isn't sufficient evidence to move forward.
- walleyeb1

I can't wait for this years season of Law & Order: SVU! I can almost see the team heading to Buffalo and Chicago to head the investigation of a "fictitious" hockey player involved in a sex crime case! DUU DUU!

Why? Canes would be giving up arguably the best defensive prospect in hockey. He has literally drawn Drew Doughty comparisons. For 2 aging defensemen 1 of whom will be looking for big money. And a pretty good top 4 d man already in his prime.
- JakeTech19

So can you suggest who the "top" prospect is that JJ mentions? The prospects pipeline for the Canes is pretty bad (ranked 28th by Hockey's Future website). In any case it was fun discussing this vs Kane's problems.

Why? Canes would be giving up arguably the best defensive prospect in hockey. He has literally drawn Drew Doughty comparisons. For 2 aging defensemen 1 of whom will be looking for big money. And a pretty good top 4 d man already in his prime.
- JakeTech19

Aging?...More like entering their prime.

Last year Skinner had 18 goals, 13 assists for a whopping 31 pts versus Bickell's whopping 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 pts. There is a reason why Skinner has been the subject of rumors that Carolina wants out from under a bad contract.
- FourOrr

Skinner is 23 and has 216 pts in 336 games. Bickell is 29 with 133 pts in 359 NHL regular season games. Literally NO ONE in the league would view those two as equal in value given their contracts.

I could see a potential deal with the Islanders where you have Kane coming to the Islanders for Okposo, Strait, and a couple of picks with the understanding that Okposo is signed long term. I think that Garth would have an edge by being able to ask Leddy about Kane and his issues. This would give the Islanders the 1 - 2 punch of Tavares and Kane up front and make room for a D prospect to strut his stuff. It would give the Black Hawks a solid winger and an improvement on D with a very dependable defensive defenseman and a couple picks for their clubs future or to use as trading pieces.
- temmer29

Snow wouldn't do that. It would mean they wouldn't be able to re-sign Tavares when his contract is up.

If Kane is going anywhere it is to jail. The Hawks are not going to let him go.

You might be surprised.

I respect your logic. But . . . he's a top 10 talent and his baggage might not be perceived as so bad compared to some other players who just have done a better job of staying out of the papers.

I heard one name of a guy possibly coming back in a package, who also has some "baggage," just not as much, also not as good a player, but still a very good player.

It really all depends on how things unfold in Buffalo and then, if it comes to that, what Kane is publicly willing to do to salvage his image, if not more tangible things.
- John Jaeckel

No one is trading for Kane unless he's cleared, and if that happens I agree with you that there is a market for him and someone will give up some quality assets, but not fair value.

So what do you think JJ means when he wrote:
"I also heard this afternoon that there are still talks going on with Carolina, and they could involve a smaller deal, still involving Skinner, a top Carolina prospect, Bickell, another highly paid Hawk veteran not named Kris Versteeg, and significant cap savings for the Hawks."
But of course I'll take your generous offer unless you have something even better to offer.
- FourOrr

Let's be honest here, JJ also said sharp was going for a 1st and a top young roster player.

For what it's worth, the Crawford for Pavelec & prospect sounds pretty good to me. Saves $2.1 mil on the cap and that's enough to sign Kruger.

But what about Kane, Crawford, Versteeg, Morin, and whatever

to the Jets for

Pavelec, Byfuglien, & Ladd (and whatever)

Let's be honest here, JJ also said sharp was going for a 1st and a top young roster player.
- Isles_since_6

I think he said that is what the Blackhawks initial asking price was and that was reported elsewhere too.

I hear marketing has a new kane jersey. It's bright orange and has no number on the back. Just a six digit number across the left breast. It comes with it's own ball gag and set of fuzzy handcuffs. All the dad's are gonna want to get one for their daughters.

I could see a potential deal with the Islanders where you have Kane coming to the Islanders for Okposo, Strait, and a couple of picks with the understanding that Okposo is signed long term. I think that Garth would have an edge by being able to ask Leddy about Kane and his issues. This would give the Islanders the 1 - 2 punch of Tavares and Kane up front and make room for a D prospect to strut his stuff. It would give the Black Hawks a solid winger and an improvement on D with a very dependable defensive defenseman and a couple picks for their clubs future or to use as trading pieces.
- temmer29

If we can get the nhl to remove the salary cap maybe. Come on dude. Okposo has a cap hit of 2.8 this year,strait is garbage and 600k, how are you fitting another 7 mil and signing Nelson, plus still having money for strome next year among others?

I think he said that is what the Blackhawks initial asking price was and that was reported elsewhere too.
- matt_ahrens

The hawks initial asking price was a 1st, top young roster player and a top prospect.

The hawks initial asking price was a 1st, top young roster player and a top prospect.
- Isles_since_6

Yes. Asking, not going.

I hear marketing has a new kane jersey. It's bright orange and has no number on the back. Just a six digit number across the left breast. It comes with it's own ball gag and set of fuzzy handcuffs. All the dad's are gonna want to get one for their daughters.
- hocktock

Jared fogle does need a roommate.

Yes. Asking, not going.
- Tanuki

Yes, I realize that. Scroll up for context.

Let's be honest here, JJ also said sharp was going for a 1st and a top young roster player.
- Isles_since_6

I remember according to his sources supposedly there were lots of suitors and even Toronto was interested in Sharp which I knew was a laughable proposition.

I remember according to his sources supposedly there were lots of suitors and even Toronto was interested in Sharp which I knew was a laughable proposition.
- jfkst1

He can either report what his sources tell him and generate some discussion here or not report it and leave us with nothing. Isn't it obvious that not all rumors turn into reality (and sometimes what happens in reality was never rumored?) That's all part of what this is.

He can either report what his sources tell him and generate some discussion here or not report it and leave us with nothing. Isn't it obvious that not all rumors turn into reality (and sometimes what happens in reality was never rumored?) That's all part of what this is.
- matt_ahrens

Which is perfectly fine, as long as its taken as rumor, not fact.

I'm intrigued by the potential trade with the Jets. JJ - you said a top (and I mean top) prospect. Looking at the Jets' top prospects, only 3 would seem to rise to that level of emphasis - Ehlers (LW), Morrissey (D) and Hellbuyck (G). Ehlers is dynamic but another 170lbs guys. Morrissey missed all last season with an injury. And the goalie is a 22 year old goalie so that's always a crap shoot. If Morrissey is healthy with a positive prognosis - he's the guy I would like.
- EbonyRaptor

I see the trade being for the goalie prospect with crawford going to the jets
If the hawks are confident in darling then the backup could be hellbuyck. Its a gamble but it gives the hawks the cap space they need

Which is perfectly fine, as long as its taken as rumor, not fact.
- Isles_since_6

If it hasn't happened yet, it isn't fact. How hard is that? Give him a break.