He has to play with talent and players who give him more space.
- Al

Definitely....He also has to grow up from a maturity standpoint.

I've said it before on these boards..... Kane would be amazing on a team like Boston. I don't think the hawks could build that kind of supporting cast and team culture around him before his contract expires. They have so many other immediate holes to fill and a risk averse GM . Jmo.

Edit - Another comment..... I think the hawks should be building the team around Toews, not Kane. They should be finding Toews the pieces to be successful and in my opinion it starts with guys that will do whatever it takes every shift and that are willing to stand up for their teammates. Get bigger, talented players that can bang in the crease. Nash is a great start. So are many of the other names that have been listed.


Rick, great summary on the last page. i completely agree with every word.

I watch Kane closely as well and I will admit his play and effort last year grew on me, especially when Toews was out of the lineup.

But my conclusion about him is that he really is just a very good small man with high end skills but somebody that can be muscled and shut down when the real playing starts in the playoffs. That means the Hawks won't win anything with him in a prominent role unless he is surrounded by skill and brawn. At best he is a #2C who is overmatched in the playoffs or a speedy, elusive 1st line winger who gets pounded when the going gets real tough.

If he could contribute like a Steve Larmer, Rick Middelton, Yvan Cournyoyer or even Dino Cicerelli that would be good enough for me. I need 40-45 goals a year from him; his 20 odd just isn't good enough.

I'd move him in a heartbeat for Nash, Tyler Seguin, Jonathan Huberdeau maybe even Phil Kessel. But you aren't likely to get any of those guys in a straight swap for #88.
- RickJ

Reality

Definitely....He also has to grow up from a maturity standpoint.

I've said it before on these boards..... Kane would be amazing on a team like Boston. I don't think the hawks could build that kind of supporting cast and team culture around him before his contract expires. They have so many other immediate holes to fill and a risk averse GM . Jmo.

Edit - Another comment..... I think the hawks should be building the team around Toews, not Kane. They should be finding Toews the pieces to be successful and in my opinion it starts with guys that will do whatever it takes every shift and that are willing to stand up for their teammates. Get bigger, talented players that can bang in the crease. Nash is a great start. So are many of the other names that have been listed.


Rick, great summary on the last page. i completely agree with every word.
- moylander

I very infrequently post things, just don't have the time to get sucked in--especially since I spend enough time as it is reading all the posts.

I have to tell you that you have a cult following of at least one person. I love your perspective on the Blackhawks in particular and hockey in general--amen to just about everything you've written about Kane the last little while.

I like JJ's blogs, but as far as posters go, you, Rick J., and Steve Rain are worth the price of admission (ok, that might be faint praise, since there's no admission fee, but you know what I mean).

Reality
- John Jaeckel

Except the part about expecting Kane to be a 40-45 goal scorer..

He may do that once in his career. It's just not his game (offensively) and there is nothing wrong with that. Some guys are just assist guys.

He's also coached to be an assist player.

Spector made a great comment this morning about Suter playing in Detroit.

Basically saying he may not want to play in Detroit because he'll always be compared to Lidstrom as the guy who took over, a lot of pressure with that.

Except the part about expecting Kane to be a 40-45 goal scorer..

He may do that once in his career. It's just not his game (offensively) and there is nothing wrong with that. Some guys are just assist guys.

He's also coached to be an assist player.
- pri$ey

I feel Martin St. Louis is a better comparison as to ceiling. 30-40 with 50-60 assuming he plays with a finisher.

Definitely....He also has to grow up from a maturity standpoint.

I've said it before on these boards..... Kane would be amazing on a team like Boston. I don't think the hawks could build that kind of supporting cast and team culture around him before his contract expires. They have so many other immediate holes to fill and a risk averse GM . Jmo.

Edit - Another comment..... I think the hawks should be building the team around Toews, not Kane. They should be finding Toews the pieces to be successful and in my opinion it starts with guys that will do whatever it takes every shift and that are willing to stand up for their teammates. Get bigger, talented players that can bang in the crease. Nash is a great start. So are many of the other names that have been listed.

I would take it a step further and you have to wonder if he will ever mature to the point were he puts the time and effort in to hone the weak points of his game. Does he care? Who knows for sure. But it looks as though right now, he is fine with "Skating by" literally and figuratively on his talent and popularity. This is why if a Nash deal is possible, you have to take it. He is the perfect compliment to JT.

This is the pivotal point right now for the next few years for the Hawks.


Rick, great summary on the last page. i completely agree with every word.
- moylander

Yes. I had the pleasure of spending three hours at a picnic table with Foley and Wilson at Murphy's after a Cub game years ago. Most humble sports player I have ever met.

High to low with a body in front of the net - best universal power play strategy.
- Return of the Roar

+1 on Doug Wilson. I got to play 18 holes of golf with him when he was still playing for the Hawks and a nicer guy you could not meet.