No elephant in the room, both guys re-sign. Move along, nothing to see here. Each guy will get 8 x $8.5-9M per. That'll end up being a combined $5M more than their current cap hits. Kane won't go anywhere else as long as McDonough is team Prez.

'Hawks need a couple tweeks, they'll get a couple more weeks rest, not have any Olympics (6 key players were in the gold-medal game) and be ready to go in 4 months. They need to get ready for the LAK in round 3 of the WCF in '15.

No elephant in the room, both guys re-sign. Move along, nothing to see here. Each guy will get 8 x $8.5-9M per. That'll end up being a combined $5M more than their current cap hits. Kane won't go anywhere else as long as McDonough is team Prez.

'Hawks need a couple tweeks, they'll get a couple more weeks rest, not have any Olympics (6 key players were in the gold-medal game) and be ready to go in 4 months. They need to get ready for the LAK in round 3 of the WCF in '15.
- blackhawk24

Sounds about right .

I believe a Hawks fan already mentioned this, but Chicago needs to address their cap situation asap. Kane and Toews must be locked up, the defense was exposed quite a bit during the LA series, and they cannot keep counting on the cap to increase in order to stay under the ceiling.
Sharp is the most likely big money player to be moved. Hossa is going to be 42-43 when his contract is up... who knows what Bowman could get for that.

I think Crawford stole a game or two.
- flamminghead

I think more blame should be directed at their dmen than at Crawford. He wasn't great, but he didn't poop the bed like a few of them did.

No elephant in the room, both guys re-sign. Move along, nothing to see here. Each guy will get 8 x $8.5-9M per. That'll end up being a combined $5M more than their current cap hits. Kane won't go anywhere else as long as McDonough is team Prez.

'Hawks need a couple tweeks, they'll get a couple more weeks rest, not have any Olympics (6 key players were in the gold-medal game) and be ready to go in 4 months. They need to get ready for the LAK in round 3 of the WCF in '15.
- blackhawk24

Yup, people everyday leave millions on the table, to do the exact same thing in another city.

Well if you have the option to choose from 8 million or 11 million a year, and already won the cup twice, logic would dictate to go elsewhere
- Mentalorgasm5

When you get $9 million a year for 10 years, add another $2-3 for endorsements (Chevy), on top of the $5 plus endorsements and bonus they've received the last five years it's about where you choose to work, not money.

When these guys retire, having $100 million or $130 million won't matter to them. What will is multiple Cups, legacy and knowing they played with great teammates.

Ha ha. Chicago fans talk like they've done Kane some favor to "stick with him" through the "controversies." Like he owes it to them to take a hometown discount. They take it for granted he can't win a cup anywhere else.

All Kane need do is read a sampling of fan comments to Jaeckel's WCF blog to get an accurate idea how quickly those "fans" will turn on him once he's a couple yrs into the new contract and loses a step, or tries to play injured. I was shocked how viciously everyone was ripping on Sharp. Complete contempt for Versteeg. "Verstink" they call him now. Zeus wins them an OT game, and yet Q is ridiculed for giving him a shift in game 7 OT. And Leddy? Sorry pal, the fans have spoken - unforgivable - you've played your last game as a BlackHawk. Just saying.

When you get $9 million a year for 10 years, add another $2-3 for endorsements (Chevy), on top of the $5 plus endorsements and bonus they've received the last five years it's about where you choose to work, not money.

When these guys retire, having $100 million or $130 million won't matter to them. What will is multiple Cups, legacy and knowing they played with great teammates.
- OnlySix

There are no 10 year contracts. Then if you want to factor in the cost of living, in a place like chicago, compared to Florida, and no taxes in florida.....it's not even close to the same amount.

Kane to LA.

There are no 10 year contracts. Then if you want to factor in the cost of living, in a place like chicago, compared to Florida, and no taxes in florida.....it's not even close to the same amount.
- Mentalorgasm5

Pardon my error on contract lengths. What is it, 7 years? Did you get my point? Once a person exceeds a seven figure income you get hammered by every entity from Feds to local etc. Do you know what state income tax is in California? How do they possibly keep three NHL teams stacked with talent?

Now, factor less cost of living and more on the fun of living and why is he going to Florida?

There's no way they can sign both Kane and Toews and expect to have solid depth all around. One of them walks come next year, and I put my money on Kane. He won't go to Buffalo though, unless the Sabers miraculously make the Playoffs next season..

There's no way they can sign both Kane and Toews and expect to have solid depth all around. One of them walks come next year, and I put my money on Kane. He won't go to Buffalo though, unless the Sabers miraculously make the Playoffs next season..
- TheCalSen

He went to Chicago, didnt he, when they were a moribund franchise picking first in the draft every year (at least didnt pull a Lindros). Wasnt that long ago, but it worked ok for him. He would be a god in Buffalo, and MAN they got some loyal fans there. Deliver a couple playoff runs and he could play to Gordie Howe age if he wanted to.

Ha ha. Chicago fans talk like they've done Kane some favor to "stick with him" through the "controversies." Like he owes it to them to take a hometown discount. They take it for granted he can't win a cup anywhere else.

All Kane need do is read a sampling of fan comments to Jaeckel's WCF blog to get an accurate idea how quickly those "fans" will turn on him once he's a couple yrs into the new contract and loses a step, or tries to play injured. I was shocked how viciously everyone was ripping on Sharp. Complete contempt for Versteeg. "Verstink" they call him now. Zeus wins them an OT game, and yet Q is ridiculed for giving him a shift in game 7 OT. And Leddy? Sorry pal, the fans have spoken - unforgivable - you've played your last game as a BlackHawk. Just saying.
- meta_puck_luck

Oh please. You sound like somebody who only watched the Hawks in the WCF and based all assumptions about the team and fanbase on that one series.

Versteeg, Handzus and Leddy have been major issues for the team all year long. The mistakes were just amplified and exposed against a team as good as LA.

As for sharp, 9/10 Hawk fans will tell you they love the guy. Any desire to trade him is purely because of his age and the fact that there is no way to resign Kane/Toews/Saad without moving a big salary. Sharp just makes the most sense.

As for Buffalo, when they're cup contenders or Kane is Hossa's age you may get your long awaited 88 Sabres jersey. See which happens first.
- OnlySix

I think the Sabers are well on there way to being cup contenders. Just wait 5 or 6 years.

Oh please. You sound like somebody who only watched the Hawks in the WCF and based all assumptions about the team and fanbase on that one series.

Versteeg, Handzus and Leddy have been major issues for the team all year long. The mistakes were just amplified and exposed against a team as good as LA.

As for sharp, 9/10 Hawk fans will tell you they love the guy. Any desire to trade him is purely because of his age and the fact that there is no way to resign Kane/Toews/Saad without moving a big salary. Sharp just makes the most sense.
- Tweek

Saad's already revealed himself to the whole league as an emerging superstar. You could argue that his switch to 2d line is all that rescued Hawks from getting blown out in embarrassing fashion 4 games to 1. Its going to take $5 mill to keep him AT LEAST! So to me, avoiding Kane's big salary makes most sense. Trade him b4 he walks. Oh right, you were planning to add Kesler too!

Saad's already revealed himself to the whole league as an emerging superstar. You could argue that his switch to 2d line is all that rescued Hawks from getting blown out in embarrassing fashion 4 games to 1. Its going to take $5 mill to keep him AT LEAST! So to me, avoiding Kane's big salary makes most sense. Trade him b4 he walks. Oh right, you were planning to add Kesler too!
- meta_puck_luck

Kesler is a pipe dream, and the only way it happens is if one of the core gets moved, i.e. Sharp. As for Saad, that remains to be seen. He may take one of those "bridge" deals, or look for a longterm contract. Just depends how the season goes. Plus he's an RFA, so the Hawks still have the leverage.

And Kane means too much to the team. Massive upcoming salary aside, the Hawks don't win 2 cups without his timely scoring. The guy is absolute money when it counts. That's why he'll get paid, and Chicago will be more than happy to offer it.

Money won't be the issue. If he truly wants to come to Buffalo, then no amount of money will keep him in Chicago. That's the only point where they should explore a trade.

Kane is 25 yrs old. He's not some aging vet with no rings, who'll play for peanuts to finally get a cup. He just showed the hockey world, definitively, that he's the most talented, explosive, clutch player in the world. He is going to get PAID. Dominated a conference final on a line featuring bottom6 Shaw and a guy in 1st full season in league? yet he's treated like Deputy Strate to Toews' Boss (Ice)Hogg? If his agent can't get him 8 yrs for $10 mill per, a C on his chest, and a decent passing center, then maybe JayZ is ready to expand into hockey. Thats a no-brainer for Buffalo (and prob many others).
- meta_puck_luck

If Jay-Z expanded to hockey, wouldn't the team be the Islanders? Tavares and Kane on the same line?

hmm lets see, 2M extra to play for bottom feeding teams like buffalo or florida, or he can play on a top contending team? righttttttttttt. kane will have more money than he can ever spend in his lifetime, believe it or not most people in the NHL want to win cups. let me ask you this, once you had sex, did you stop chasing it because you already had it? do you think kane is satisfied with 2 cups? he's a winner, and he isn't going to toss that down the drain for a couple extra mil. ESPECIALLY not to play in buffalo.
- sensnucksnocups

You're on a hockey blog. You can't assume that any given person you are having a discussion with here has ever had sex.

Ha ha. Chicago fans talk like they've done Kane some favor to "stick with him" through the "controversies." Like he owes it to them to take a hometown discount. They take it for granted he can't win a cup anywhere else.

All Kane need do is read a sampling of fan comments to Jaeckel's WCF blog to get an accurate idea how quickly those "fans" will turn on him once he's a couple yrs into the new contract and loses a step, or tries to play injured. I was shocked how viciously everyone was ripping on Sharp. Complete contempt for Versteeg. "Verstink" they call him now. Zeus wins them an OT game, and yet Q is ridiculed for giving him a shift in game 7 OT. And Leddy? Sorry pal, the fans have spoken - unforgivable - you've played your last game as a BlackHawk. Just saying.
- meta_puck_luck

Sharp had a great regular season which improves his stock as far as a trade goes. He probably had a bum shoulder throughout the playoffs.

Zus was a warrior, but father time has caught up with him.

Versteeg absolutely sucks. I've never understood the hatred for Leddy on the Hawk board other than the fact that he isn't sharpest tool in the shed, but all of the vitriol aimed at Versteeg is warranted.

Where do u get this stuff?? 88 ain't going anywhere.

Buffalo to play with McDavid and Reinhart

Buffalo to play with McDavid and Reinhart
- feetontheair22

Would be a dream

yea i am right. no star player that can essentially choose almost any team to play on would pick buffalo just so he can make an extra 2M per year.

buffalo is a terrible city to live in, and the team is the worst in the league. you guys cant even attract decent players to play for you which is why you are overpaying guys like leino, what makes you think you can get kane.
- sensnucksnocups

I think he bought a mansion last year on Lake Erie south of Buffalo...

There's no way they can sign both Kane and Toews and expect to have solid depth all around. One of them walks come next year, and I put my money on Kane. He won't go to Buffalo though, unless the Sabers miraculously make the Playoffs next season..
- TheCalSen

Kane doesn't walk. If he does not sign an extension this summer, he will be traded and the Hawks will get a big return.

I think he bought a mansion last year on Lake Erie south of Buffalo...
- atlsabsfan

That he did. I love these people that have no idea what they are talking about spewing garbage about Buffalo. Yes Buffalo is a crap hole to people that are uneducated on everything Buffalo has to offer. Sure it's not New York, LA, or Chicago, but especially to someone who grew up in Buffalo and decided to buy a mansion just south of the city that Kane, did makes you think if he is planning on making that his permanent address sooner that later. You don't spend that kind of money for a house you spend 2 months in unless you are planning something else.

Kane IMO has passed Toews as the better of the two players. Toews is their captain so he will be the first to sign. Kane COULD not will chase the money and Buffalo and their cap position baring them doing something stupid this offseason (like throwing a boat load of money at Callahan) will be the team that will be able to pay the most for Kane come 2015.

I put the odds at 70/30 that Kane resigns in Chicago. If he does hit Free Agency he is going to the highest bidder, not necessarily Buffalo though.