Nobody held a gun to the Hawks' heads to make them sign the contract they did with known commodity Kane, which includes a no trade clause. But they did. Are they going to claim their figners were crossed behind their backs? Besides, finding a team that could afford Kane, would be willing to give up what it takes to get him, and that Kane would agree to go to seems like it might be a bit difficult.

>At this point, everything about Kane is just speculation
>Here's mine
>Kane lived with Stan Bowman when Stan was fighting for his life
>Ate Fruit Loops with Stan's kids in the morning
>Kane will be a Hawk long term (McD will get outvoted time after time)
- SnapitUpstairs

Honestly if I owned a team and there was talk of trading one of my best players on the team, no one's vote would matter except for mine, they will bring information to Rocky and present their educated opinions to him but in the end Rocky will make this decision

In other news:

@TramyersCSN: NHL rosters must be finalized by 4 p.m. CT today. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Q: "We've got to make a decision or two here with our lineup, going into tomorrow for cap purposes and reasons. We'll see on (Svedberg)."

@BrianHedger: Stay tuned today for #Blackhawks roster moves. Things might be about to get a little weird. We'll see.

@MarkLazerus: There are definitely some moves coming. Maybe a few. Should be interesting. #Blackhawks
- Marlowe

Yikes! This could be like TDL day....!

Crawford trade?

Why was he suddenly pulled? "tightness"? idk....i smell a conspiracy.

Honestly if I owned a team and there was talk of trading one of my best players on the team, no one's vote would matter except for mine, they will bring information to Rocky and present their educated opinions to him but in the end Rocky will make this decision
- BetweenTheDots

Fairly sure Rocky does not run the team this way. Lotsa stuff done by committee. Some may say too many things are done by committee. We shall see.

The dollars will work themselves out one way or another.

NMC stuff can be waived at any time. If a player is convinced his situation is not going to improve, he'll waive.
- blackhawk24

I think it's a bit naive to just say the dollars will work out. These teams don't operate in a vacuum...many teams run closer to the salary cap floor and other teams already have an established core of players making big/long term money. I also don't know the details of Kane/Toews NMC, but I'd doubt he's going to waive to go somewhere he doesn't want.

Yikes! This could be like TDL day....!
- blackhawk24

Think at a minimum there will be cap maneuvers involving Svedberg going down and maybe coming right back up - to put Rosival on LTIR and maybe add someone else before bringing Sved back. Q likes him. Called him a good surprise and some ther things. Will add tweets

EDIT - as promised:
Q on Svedberg (classic!)
@BrianHedger: Q"Going to tell him treat it like any other game. Not sure he's going to play (Weds), but look forward to him playing. He's going to play."

Newer tweet than the above (and AHA!!)
@BrianHedger: Q, asked there's a chance Svedberg isn't here tomorrow: "Uh, there is a chance he's not here tomorrow." #Blackhawks

@TramyersCSN: Crawford on Svedberg's reach: " He could have his heels at the top of the crease and poke-check a guy in the high slot." #Blackhawks

Yeah, the kid's gotten into trouble before but nothing like this. Wait and see. I'm guessing he was "scared straight". If not, and his behavior hasn't changed, ship him out. But he's too good to pull the trigger on without waiting to see whether this situation changed him for the better.

In other news:

@TramyersCSN: NHL rosters must be finalized by 4 p.m. CT today. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Q: "We've got to make a decision or two here with our lineup, going into tomorrow for cap purposes and reasons. We'll see on (Svedberg)."

@BrianHedger: Stay tuned today for #Blackhawks roster moves. Things might be about to get a little weird. We'll see.

@MarkLazerus: There are definitely some moves coming. Maybe a few. Should be interesting. #Blackhawks

@ChristopherHine: Quenneville after saying nice things about Bickell the last few days, had some ominous quotes today. Will get those in a few.
- Marlowe

Q had Bicks totally up on a pedestal in an interview yesterday. I was starting to think maybe 40 goal season, now this. Just what the hell could have gone wrong overnight?

I think it's a bit naive to just say the dollars will work out. These teams don't operate in a vacuum...many teams run closer to the salary cap floor and other teams already have an established core of players making big/long term money. I also don't know the details of Kane/Toews NMC, but I'd doubt he's going to waive to go somewhere he doesn't want.
- Coca

Not naive, smart.

What if a team sends $6M back to the 'Hawks via two players? 'Hawks get $4.5M in cap opening. If the other team has $12M in cap space going in, they still have $7.5M.

There are a myriad of ways the money can work out. It's how the roster works out for that money that counts. Hence my saying, "the dollars will work out".

In other news:

@TramyersCSN: NHL rosters must be finalized by 4 p.m. CT today. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Q: "We've got to make a decision or two here with our lineup, going into tomorrow for cap purposes and reasons. We'll see on (Svedberg)."

@BrianHedger: Stay tuned today for #Blackhawks roster moves. Things might be about to get a little weird. We'll see.

@MarkLazerus: There are definitely some moves coming. Maybe a few. Should be interesting. #Blackhawks

@ChristopherHine: Quenneville after saying nice things about Bickell the last few days, had some ominous quotes today. Will get those in a few.
- Marlowe

Looks like Rozy's on IR now based on general fanager

Interesting post. My guess is that the Hawks DO trade Kane. They hired a marketing and image guy to be the team president, not a hockey guy. McD is not the type that tolerates things out of his control, and Kane is out of his control. I would guess McD overvalues marketing and image in the success of the Hawks' brand, when in the opinion of this professional marketer and brand manager, the success of the Hawks brand is 95% because of winning and 5% because of marketing. But I don't think McD would agree with me, he probably thinks its 40% because of marketing and image management.

However, from a hockey perspective, you don't trade away a Hall of Fame player unless there's a helluva return, like a top overall pick plus other assets. Most top overall picks never become as good as Kane is. Sure there are a better all-around players, but not many, and the Hawks have 1-2 of those that are. What they don't have is another offensive igniter like Kane and few teams do. It's been the difference in key playoff series, such as Nashville Game 4 in 2010 and Boston Game 6 in 2013. Hedman gave Kane trouble last year but Kane still scored a big goal in the deciding game. That's just who he is, worth every penny of the cap space he takes up.

Yeah, the kid's gotten into trouble before but nothing like this. Wait and see. I'm guessing he was "scared straight". If not, and his behavior hasn't changed, ship him out. But he's too good to pull the trigger on without waiting to see whether this situation changed him for the better.
- Only_A_Ladd

Id wager hes closer to "i did nothing wrong" than "scared straight".

i think JJ did a good job in stressing that this isn't about guilt or innocence. they'd be trading a guy who has been a headache due his inability to stay out of the gossip columns. no more, no less.
- Fountain-San

I hear ya, but what if Kane is the victim here? I'm not saying he is, I'm just playing devils advocate. If Kane is the victim here is it fair to hold the situation against him?

I fully acknowledge that we don't know the details and never will. But my point is that trading a player of Kane's caliber shouldn't be taken lightly. I'm not suggesting JJ is implying that, on the contrary I think he fully understands what it means. I was replying to another poster's message but it didn't show in my response.

Based on Kane's cap hit, off-ice baggage (regardless if it is real or just perception), and full NMC, I think it is very unlikely Bowman gets anything close to fair value for him.

Id wager hes closer to "i did nothing wrong" than "scared straight".
- Gerk

Good point. Probably should have written: however he justifies it in his mind, he now has experienced the consequences of the partying lifestyle and knows the risks are too high and he needs to settle down for good if he wants to get the remainder of that contract.

Honestly if I owned a team and there was talk of trading one of my best players on the team, no one's vote would matter except for mine, they will bring information to Rocky and present their educated opinions to him but in the end Rocky will make this decision
- BetweenTheDots

>Rocky runs his businesses the "Andrew Carnegie" way
>Finds the best people, puts them in the right positions, and provides incentives for them to do great things
>Not typically his style to "fly solo"
>A "vote" gives Rocky perspective on where his exec team stands on an issue
>Of course, as you say, as the owner, Rocky can do whatever he wishes

Not naive, smart.

What if a team sends $6M back to the 'Hawks via two players? 'Hawks get $4.5M in cap opening. If the other team has $12M in cap space going in, they still have $7.5M.

There are a myriad of ways the money can work out. It's how the roster works out for that money that counts. Hence my saying, "the dollars will work out".
- blackhawk24

I guess I just think it's a lot more complex than this. I haven't gone around looking at other rosters (don't really have the time and doubt you do either), but I don't think it's as simple as Kane is available so all teams are in on him.

In fantasy land I could go to any team and pick two players with certain cap hits and say here swap them for Kane, but it's not that simple.

I hear ya, but what if Kane is the victim here? I'm not saying he is, I'm just playing devils advocate. If Kane is the victim here is it fair to hold the situation against him?

I fully acknowledge that we don't know the details and never will. But my point is that trading a player of Kane's caliber shouldn't be taken lightly. I'm not suggesting JJ is implying that, on the contrary I think he fully understands what it means. I was replying to another poster's message but it didn't show in my response.
- DarthKane

all that aside it's a huge cap hit to possibly work with if they do move him. no matter how good a player is a 10.5 hit can be good to get out from under.

Q had Bicks totally up on a pedestal in an interview yesterday. I was starting to think maybe 40 goal season, now this. Just what the hell could have gone wrong overnight?
- RickJ

I think this is what happened - shoe may drop...(later tweet)

@ChristopherHine: Q on Bickell: Job competition is tough and we’ve got cap issues that are tough

Or maybe not - more just in:
@ChristopherHine: Q on Bickell (cont): I think one thing with Bick is we want to see him play here, we want to see him succeed here

And
@ChristopherHine: One more Q on Bickell: Tough deal. Tough situation to go through being him. That’s where he’s at in his career.

I don't get the "Hedman shut down Kane" reasoning/argument. (Couldn't you say he shut down Toews and Hossa as well - they only had 3 points each in the same, low scoring series)

But lets say, for arguments sake, that Hedman was used to "shut" down Kane for only 3pts in the 6gms.

Then doesn't that leave the Toews/Hossa line to face the other teams second pairing? And every other team that has to put their Doughty, Weber, Suter, etc vs Kane - leaves matchup nightmares for every other line?

And while Kane has been "shut down" in his playoff career (to the tune of 114pts in 116gms)....how many of his teammates have had more success due to the fact that Kane has to face other teams top D pairs?

Until TT, Dano, Panarin or any other "next one" proves they can be an 70-80pt player while facing other teams top pairing, I'll reserve the thought they can carry that same mail Kane has carried since stepping into the NHL.

While Kane should be able to get some decent players, unless someone can create that matchup problems for the other team....it will be a lHUGE loss for the Hawks, and every other team in the Hawks division will be thrilled with that move.

Based on Kane's cap hit, off-ice baggage (regardless if it is real or just perception), and full NMC, I think it is very unlikely Bowman gets anything close to fair value for him.
- jfkst1

Now? Totally correct. Two years from now? Don't count out SB.

The lines at this point mean very, very little. The Hawks want to move Bickell (and soon), they placed him on waivers not with the hope that anyone would claim him (no one was offering the Hawks anything of value for him), but to tell teams just how "open" they are to offers. Clearly the decision to line up Bickell as the LW on the 3rd line right now isn't because the Hawks feel like Bickell is healthy enough to play regular minutes and that his summer long "slap in the face" will spark him to motivated play, I'm sure they do believe these things, but they DON'T WANT HIM in the lineup...not with the guys that they have waiting in the wings. So whether Bickell plays tomorrow night or not isn't a big issue, trying hard to trade him will be an on-going process until he is gone.


Dano will return to reclaim a full time spot, that's a given, so there will be one less forward position sooner than later. Tikhonov had a good camp, is a Centre that can play wing, and plays a 200' game...you know he is going to get his shot. Dan Paille signed a contract with RFD not to help them to a title, but to play for the Hawks. He is a SC winner who had a great camp and plays a "Q-game", so you know he will get his shot. Ryan Garbutt had a great camp too, and with his speed and hands he can play on all 4 lines if need be, plus he's very physical so you know he will be in the lineup. So whether or not he is "pencilled in" at LW on the 3rd line right now, Bickell is actually BEHIND all of these guys, including Kyle Baun. Baun is being given a shot after a good camp because of his size and speed (and I think his bloodlines mean something to Q), but he MUST PRODUCE or he will be in RFD working on his game.

The Hawks are fully committed to repeating this season, there will be a zero tolerance for substandard play, and that goes for the #6/7 guys on Defence as well. If the Hawks need to make a move, they will. The Hawk's regular season mantra will be POINTS, they know they are in a very tough DIV and CONF so they can't afford to leave points on the table while certain players figure out their respective games.

So the lines/roster are "what they are" for right now, and will be in a state of flux until the best 18 skaters present themselves to Coach Q and that might take a full month to figure out. So none of us need to read too much into the lines at practise. You can be sure that Yannic Perrault is working with Teravainen on his face-off technique, and when the Hawks feel he is strong enough to handle the responsibility he will likely return there (just in time for Dano to return?). BTW, did anyone notice the slightly "taller" stance at the dot from Anisimov against DAL? This will make him quicker on his release...the wider that tall guys with long arms like AA get at the dot, the slower they are to react. AA was 9/19 vs. DAL which was impressive as he squared off against two of the better face-off Centres in the league.

As for Kane, as JJ said the Hawks just want the press around Kane to disappear. Stopping a pre-planned bobble-head night for Kane would have been a "bobble-head" move by the Hawks. Rocky and company have been forced throughout this matter into merely bystanders (probably a very good thing in hindsight), and they still are. They are now in a position to allow the matter to fall from the public imaginations, and they aren't going to restrict it. Next summer will make an ideal time to decide what to do with Kane, and as JJ said, while the public might forget about the matter, the Hawks haven't and won't! But this really shouldn't be the discussion right now, the Hawks are focused on picking up two points tomorrow night, and then being ready for a tough road game Friday.

all that aside it's a huge cap hit to possibly work with if they do move him. no matter how good a player is a 10.5 hit can be good to get out from under.
- Fountain-San

I'm sure you'd take a 10 mil cap hit to get Seguin back.....unless you enjoy missing the playoffs and being irrelevant in the league

I guess I just think it's a lot more complex than this. I haven't gone around looking at other rosters (don't really have the time and doubt you do either), but I don't think it's as simple as Kane is available so all teams are in on him.

In fantasy land I could go to any team and pick two players with certain cap hits and say here swap them for Kane, but it's not that simple.
- Coca

Not all teams, certainly not. But a half dozen, maybe 8 or 10? You bet.

I'm not concerned with it. At all.

And this is prefaced on the 'Hawks actually dealing him. I think it's well less than 50/50 right now Kane would go in even a year from now.