The Hawks have been very fortunate in the last few years not having very many underachievers relative to salaries paid. Both of us can write out a long list of stiffs in the NHL who haven't 'earned' the salary they are being paid. Putting a value on Bickell makes no sense because for sure he is going to the bank with $8M large in the next 2 years. If he isn't banged up beyond repair, its Q's job to get the most out of him.
- RickJ

Sox are on CSN, where is this going to be televised

Sox are on CSN, where is this going to be televised
- Maggie

CSN plus and here:
http://www.csnchicago.com/page/liveblackhawks

CSN plus and here:
http://www.csnchicago.com...conference-today-2-pm-csn
- bhawk1s

Someone should point the camera to the dais. It's a bit strange pointing it towards a cross

The Hawks have been very fortunate in the last few years not having very many underachievers relative to salaries paid. Both of us can write out a long list of stiffs in the NHL who haven't 'earned' the salary they are being paid. Putting a value on Bickell makes no sense because for sure he is going to the bank with $8M large in the next 2 years. If he isn't banged up beyond repair, its Q's job to get the most out of him.
- RickJ

I'm fully aware that my valuation of Bickell has zero impact on his bank account and his on-ice contributions. We can all make excuses for why Bickell has substantially underachieved. Could it be that consistency was always his biggest issue and why he stayed in the AHL for several seasons? Could it be knee injuries? Could it be that he wasnt so great to begin with and playing with 19/88 helped JUST A BIT?? Whatever the reason, Bryan Bickell is no more than a 3rd line LW and at $4mil with 6 players making over $5mil (all earning it btw), that is a huge anchor for StanBo and the Hawks to be carrying around while trying to field a championship caliber roster.

Has it started? Using the link but nothing going on...

Has it started? Using the link but nothing going on...
- Hank3Henshaw

10-15 min delay announced

Has it started? Using the link but nothing going on...
- Hank3Henshaw

they said about 2:15 start

10-15 min delay announced
- pdx2ord

OK cool. Thanks for the heads up.

Looks like the TV coverage is on CSN+ instead - they just tweeted the channel finder info:

http://www.csnchicago.com/channel-finder

I just heard the Hawks have hired/consulted a p.r. firm/consultant to help guide them through the Kane mess.

Also that they have no leeway to suspend him as he has not been charged. There are apparently some in the FO hoping he will voluntarily take a leave of absence in order to get things cleared up.

They want the negative publicity to die. Rosenbloom is right this morning. They are in a really tough spot.
- John Jaeckel

....and are sending the bill to Kane.

Agreed on Rosey, dead nuts on.

This is scintillating

Reminds me of Catechism, with cameras

10-15 min delay announced
- pdx2ord

Which may mean a late-breaking development

I'm fully aware that my valuation of Bickell has zero impact on his bank account and his on-ice contributions. We can all make excuses for why Bickell has substantially underachieved. Could it be that consistency was always his biggest issue and why he stayed in the AHL for several seasons? Could it be knee injuries? Could it be that he wasnt so great to begin with and playing with 19/88 helped JUST A BIT?? Whatever the reason, Bryan Bickell is no more than a 3rd line LW and at $4mil with 6 players making over $5mil (all earning it btw), that is a huge anchor for StanBo and the Hawks to be carrying around while trying to field a championship caliber roster.
- EnzoD

Simple answer - he was in the right place at the right time and negotiated a contract at market price (or slightly lower) after the 2013 Cup. Stan may have blown it by letting him become a UFA instead of inking him mid season.

Would he get $4M in today's market - clearly not. Should he have been bought out - maybe. So its either play him or trade him for nothing and/or eat part of his salary. I like him when he plays well and bangs some bodies, but the limit on that is about 40 games per year.

Getting interesting...the stream started to play, then cut out.

Mex never said anything about Bicks, it was me. The fact is that after the 2013 season, he was labeled as a top 6 power forward and could have gotten $5 + Mil from another team. Nobody complained when he signed at $4mil with the Hawks. I agree that he is not playing up to his contract, but I was just making the point that this what have you done for me lately bs is a little unfair.
- Boisy12

I have from day 1 since he signed it. I watched Bickes float up to the 2013 playoffs, being a fringe player who threw checks but did not add a lot of other skill until 2013. Bicks cashed in and I felt (and still do) that a grinder under a mil can bring more consistency to the physical role. Think Matt Martin/Cal Clutterbuck/Kyle Clifford as examples. For $4 mil a year, Bicks needs to consistently bring the performaces he had in 2013. He doesn't so he is eating cap space that causes Chicago to trade players like Sharp, Saad, lose Oduya to free agency, while Bickell remains a $4 mil liability most nights.

Patrick Kane WILL speak

The fans that truly follow the Hawks know that Bickell has value, but they are also aware that he consistently has stretches where (for whatever reason) he disappears. Bickell at $4 million per, is what he is...
- MexicoHawk

Agree... and if Mahoney grabs him it is because he thinks he can move him for more at the TDL.

Kane is there and will speak

This is scintillating

Reminds me of Catechism, with cameras
- John Jaeckel

Kane is in the confessional and the list of sins is time consuming.

Kane is there and will speak
- golfbard

Question is will he take questions?

Which may mean a late-breaking development
- John Jaeckel

Quite the drama !

Which may mean a late-breaking development
- John Jaeckel

Or Kane could have just needed to use the washroom.

I feel like i'm watching The Omen they really need to turn the camera somewhere else.

Kane is there and will speak
- golfbard

From the cross? Cue the Monty Python skit

Someone should point the camera to the dais. It's a bit strange pointing it towards a cross
- golfbard

Between the cross and those walls, I thought it was a Catholic hospital.