Zach Jarom: Should The Hawks Bring Back Patrick Kane?

Sure why not sign Kane. And maybe Stamkos also.

Play one on a line with Bedard and the other with Nazar.

So, Kaner is done on his playoff team run with Rangers and Wings?

He is going to be happpy with a salary on a non playoff team?

No deal where he gets to move at the deadline to a contender?

I think we all need more information before we can comment fully.

Sure why not sign Kane. And maybe Stamkos also.

Play one on a line with Bedard and the other with Nazar.
- boilermaker100

Part of the L'il Frankie signing was the parent club's want tom have him on the club to get coach him up.

I am just not sure ANY high end signee is coming (like Stamkos).

I tend to temper the UFA expectatiosn to Carolina's Chatfield, a forward like Roslovic, but room for a Kaner and anyone who has some dominance and wants to play here.

So, Kaner is done on his playoff team run with Rangers and Wings?

He is going to be happpy with a salary on a non playoff team?

No deal where he gets to move at the deadline to a contender?

I think we all need more information before we can comment fully.
- wiz1901

I had heard he had asked about returning before he got started this past season, and was always under the impression that he wanted to play his entire career here if that was possible. Yes, that can be a stock interview answer, but I gathered he did not want to leave and they decided it was time.

From the team's perspective on cutting the cord with Kane and Toews, neither had good long term outlooks. Kane was facing a hip surgery where nobody ever was effective afterwards. How can they build anything and keep these two in the fold, when the odds were squarely against either one of them being productive?

Now we know that Kane is the first real success story for that operation. He seemed to want to play with Bedard and guide him along, but again, the team would be crazy to commit to a guy who had an operation that had had a zero success rate. He has obviously demonstrated that he can still play. They have to have that conversation at the very least. He would be a tremendous teammate/linemate for Bedard, I do believe that. If he wants to come back, they have to sign him.

So the Hawks move Kane because they want the youngsters to form their own identity, become the leaders and were afraid that too much deference would be given to Kane in the locker room. And now Zack you say that it would be a negative to bring him back due to the culture that the older than Kane, Foligno (whose teams he played for never got past the second round of the playoffs), and is the darling of the Chicago Media Core as the ultimate panderer to the press is instilling on the new Hawks?

Are you saying Kane did not work hard in his career to get better? That he was a bad person in the dressing room?

I will say Foligno is better at being Bedard's protector punching faces though.

Excellent Athletic article by Shayna Goldman on
Lessons the rest of the NHL can learn from the final 4 teams

Swing big when elite talent is available

Development isn’t linear

Lean on entry-level contracts and cheap deals to supplement a core

Use the deadline to find a missing piece to complete a team, not jump-start it

Elite goaltending still matters

I'm not saying this is right or should happen, but the fan is me wishes we could get any remaining years from our former faces of the team.

I wish Toews would come back to the NHL healthy and play again and Kane with his unexpectedly good recovery from hip resurface return to Chicago. It would just be fun to see even if it's impossible, I would have loved to see a line like

Bedard - Toews - Kane

I know I know, it won't happen, but a guy can daydream.

Hawks are still at least 3 years away from contending, best case scenario. In the interim, might as well bring in a guy like Kane to give Bedard experience playing with high end talent. Kane also came in as a 1st pick in the draft, was a bit undersized, and needed to develop a lot as a 2 way player.

Does bringing Kane back help in the short term? I think so. The team will be better next season with Kane in the lineup. Does bringing Kane back help long term? Again I think so. Bedard, Nazar and others have an opportunity to learn some things from Kane’s playmaking, his positioning and how Kane strives to improve himself all the time.

What are the downsides of Kane coming back? Unless there’s something we don’t know I think the only problem is that KFC has to reverse his decision. As long as the term isn’t ridiculous and if he wants to come back, I don’t see a problem.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say when Scott Wheeler on CHGO podcast today said " i don't think Demidov skating is an issue, and most of the scouts and people I've spoken to this season don't think his skating is an issue. Outside of some in the public blogosphere you don't hear that his skating is an issue."

Those in the public blagosphere has to be WIZ

So the Hawks move Kane because they want the youngsters to form their own identity, become the leaders and were afraid that too much deference would be given to Kane in the locker room. And now Zack you say that it would be a negative to bring him back due to the culture that the older than Kane, Foligno (whose teams he played for never got past the second round of the playoffs), and is the darling of the Chicago Media Core as the ultimate panderer to the press is instilling on the new Hawks?

Are you saying Kane did not work hard in his career to get better? That he was a bad person in the dressing room?

I will say Foligno is better at being Bedard's protector punching faces though.
- LAHawk

I really think it's just that you don't want him overshadowing the young players. You don't want it to be Kane's team and things his way in the coaches ear, but you need him to buy into being a bit more of a mentor first. I'm not saying that there would necessarily be an issue or anything negative, but the former legends of the team cast a big shadow. We know the direction of the team is moving into the next chapter where adding someone like Kane for the right $ and term can make sense.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say when Scott Wheeler on CHGO podcast today said " i don't think Demidov skating is an issue, and most of the scouts and people I've spoken to this season don't think his skating is an issue. Outside of some in the public blogosphere you don't hear that his skating is an issue."

Those in the public blagosphere has to be WIZ
- vabeachbear

I'm not saying his skating is or isn't a problem, or anyone is right or wrong.

I just wanted to add there were some very good hockey players in the history of the game who at some point, skating was a concern or something that caused them to be overlooked. He is definitely an interesting prospect.

Hawks are still at least 3 years away from contending, best case scenario. In the interim, might as well bring in a guy like Kane to give Bedard experience playing with high end talent. Kane also came in as a 1st pick in the draft, was a bit undersized, and needed to develop a lot as a 2 way player.
- Hawkeynation

And to this day still can't play a 200 foot game.

At #2, demidov is the bpa and meets a dire need. Picking him is a no brainer. They could trade up and get a defenseman or try for eiserman. To me thats the best scenario.

No to Kane.

via GIPHY

At #2, demidov is the bpa and meets a dire need. Picking him is a no brainer. They could trade up and get a defenseman or try for eiserman. To me thats the best scenario.
- LFS

I'm back on the Demidov bandwagon. I agree!

So the Hawks move Kane because they want the youngsters to form their own identity, become the leaders and were afraid that too much deference would be given to Kane in the locker room. And now Zack you say that it would be a negative to bring him back due to the culture that the older than Kane, Foligno (whose teams he played for never got past the second round of the playoffs), and is the darling of the Chicago Media Core as the ultimate panderer to the press is instilling on the new Hawks?

Are you saying Kane did not work hard in his career to get better? That he was a bad person in the dressing room?

I will say Foligno is better at being Bedard's protector punching faces though.
- LAHawk

Not at all what I am saying. I tried to look at this from both sides why he should be brought back and why he shouldnt. I said in the positive that he would be amazing vet to help mentor the young players. From the why not view, listen there was a reason KD decided to move on from Toews and Kane. He felt this team couldnt start the next chapter living under the shadow of the cup era guys. KD has every right to change his opinion but in the long term for this teams new identity would it make sense to go back to him?

I'm not saying this is right or should happen, but the fan is me wishes we could get any remaining years from our former faces of the team.

I wish Toews would come back to the NHL healthy and play again and Kane with his unexpectedly good recovery from hip resurface return to Chicago. It would just be fun to see even if it's impossible, I would have loved to see a line like

Bedard - Toews - Kane

I know I know, it won't happen, but a guy can daydream.
- breadbag

I know this wont be a popular opinion but I would prefer Toews over Kane in terms of who would be best for Bedard. I think Toews could really help Bedard with unlocking his 1C potential and get in to that captain role.

Not at all what I am saying. I tried to look at this from both sides why he should be brought back and why he shouldnt. I said in the positive that he would be amazing vet to help mentor the young players. From the why not view, listen there was a reason KD decided to move on from Toews and Kane. He felt this team couldnt start the next chapter living under the shadow of the cup era guys. KD has every right to change his opinion but in the long term for this teams new identity would it make sense to go back to him?
- Zach Jarom

So the new identity is a 38 year old Foligno? Well I guess he is because since coming to Chicago there isn't a microphone that he doesn't like, and the local press eats it up because it easily fills up space.

In the rebuild the most important t objective with the coaching and team effort is that the players buy in. A long time employee like Kane will notice there has been growth and improvement primarily due to young players addItion to the roster and the progress of those players.

Kane has enjoyed the superstar skill and respect which comes with it throughout his career. BiT to play on the team again Kane should expect thar Richardson demands-on a certain (more) effort defensively and no laizzie affair attitude. The team remains one of the worse in the league and Kane cannot allow that to bring his effort and attitude (even when disguised).

I also view Kane as an average skater now so there had to be someone who skates well and is responsible defensively. Not sure either T Hall or Foligno would be who joons Bedard as linemattes.

There will. be some change for Kane with a different team than he last toiled under with Ruchardson at the helm. I could imagine Kane could be up for the. Challenge .

In Toronti under Berube however is where I expect to see greater changes in play

I'm going to go out on a limb and say when Scott Wheeler on CHGO podcast today said " i don't think Demidov skating is an issue, and most of the scouts and people I've spoken to this season don't think his skating is an issue. Outside of some in the public blogosphere you don't hear that his skating is an issue."

Those in the public blagosphere has to be WIZ
- vabeachbear

Not true.

Places like top shelf hockey, elite prospects, flohockey and the draft pros have all commented that the mohawk stance he rolls into frequently could be problematic against adults who can push him off balance.

There does seem to be a general consensus on technical ability in terms of stick handling and passing where he's at a different level than his peers. Just what is his ability to adjust his skating and stance so that he can be effective against bigger and stronger players seems to be a valid argument.

Crosby sticks his butt out and drops into this position a lot and doesn't have issues. Kaprizov as well.

He doesn't cross over much which seems to be more common. (Panarin or Kane going from the half wall to the middle. McDavid and MacKinnon darting as well)

It seems like his first step is pretty decent. Tough to draw a lot of conclusions based on quality of comp and all that. They'll have to trust their people in Russia if thats the route they want to take.

So the new identity is a 38 year old Foligno? Well I guess he is because since coming to Chicago there isn't a microphone that he doesn't like, and the local press eats it up because it easily fills up space.
- LAHawk

I have to admit your responses make me laugh, thank you

I'm going to go out on a limb and say when Scott Wheeler on CHGO podcast today said " i don't think Demidov skating is an issue, and most of the scouts and people I've spoken to this season don't think his skating is an issue. Outside of some in the public blogosphere you don't hear that his skating is an issue."

Those in the public blagosphere has to be WIZ
- vabeachbear

Yeah, it must be me and anyone who watches close.
No not me becasue it WAS me he would have typed in the public BLABosphere.

Sorry but I cannot make a diety out of Wheeler or Pronman like their fanbase.

Wheeler was working for Future Considerations not to long ago, and I beat their drafts every year.

It must raise confidence in these two, everytimne they say haven't heard scouts talk about his skating. Therse two reply on every scrap of info or misinformation that they are able to shake of the NHL trees of knowledge....I didn't HEAR anything about the splits he does, I see it.

North Amercian rinks and attacking doesn't leave much room for an attacker to be bold legged beacsue the player may need to push the pace laterally and they cannot be caught wide legged and unability to pivot-pass or pivot recieve and shot.

If the Blackhawks choose Demidov as the ebst option, I can only hope they have a remedy or that it is something I have imagined.

I think Colorado would be more likely for Kane. Him and MacKinnon would be fun. They should have money if Nichushkin is still out. Bigger issue is probably term. He said after Detroits season he's looking for more stability.

Utah could throw money and term at him and bring in an actual name player.

Boston could use more scoring but I don't think he fits their style. Though maybe thats not a bad thing.

Minnesota could probably afford him and give him 2 years esp with the buyouts dropping to 1.6 total after next year.

Depending on what happens in Florida I could see them giving him a three year deal at a discount since their window is really now. Kind of an everyone wins deal.