YAWN, another boring outdoor game. These outdoor games are turning into what Interleague Baseball is, a gimmick that is over-used!

YAWN, another boring outdoor game. These outdoor games are turning into what Interleague Baseball is, a gimmick that is over-used!
- Crushers68

Not overused until the games stop selling out, and the TV ratings go down.

At least as the league and NBC see it.

As fans of a team constantly up against the cap, anything that increases HRR is fine with us.

JJ, do you honestly think that Kane can win those trophies in Buffalo?
- powerenforcer

All depends on the next 2 drafts. If the Sabres walk away with Reinhart and one of Eichel/McDavid. It may be hard to look passed that and see 2 young C's with loads and loads of potential.

Confusing part again: if Ottawa - a budget team, not a cap team - retains half the cap hit, don't they also gave to pay half the salary ($2MM)?
- StLBravesFan

Ottawa is well below their budget and Brian Murray has said they are looking to take on salary including players on long term deals.

Come on... seriously? Kane and Toews both said they love playing here, Bowman said he'll get their contracts done. Kane and Toews will be Hawks for life.

Come on... seriously? Kane and Toews both said they love playing here, Bowman said he'll get their contracts done. Kane and Toews will be Hawks for life.
- SUDA88

You read the script perfectly.

You're right: money, personal adulation, things like that NEVER enter into anything in sports. Kane and Toews are the best of pals on and off the ice. One Goal. Pass the kool-aid.

As I've said before, do I think both sign in Chicago? Yes.

Is it all peaches and cream? No.

Kane has been moved around, had countless different linemates, and even a trial at center. Of course he's frustrated and probably even angry, especially when Toews is a Selke finalist and Keith a Norris finalist. Internal competition and personal goals are not unique to him or any other high-end athlete.

Wanting (or even demanding) to be paired with more compatible linemates is not the same as being a "cancer". I am confident that Stan gets these deals done for 19 and 88 to remain in Chicago long-term. They can explore new destinations in 5-8 years. Maybe Buffalo and Winnipeg will be ready for them then.

Ottawa is well below their budget and Brian Murray has said they are looking to take on salary including players on long term deals.
- spatso

Does that include paying $2MM for non-existant skaters?

Better than paying $2MM for an unwanted skater who they can't otherwise get rid of, I guess.

Agreed but if Kane is holding the Hawks feet to the fire then Bowman needs to figure out how to make it work.

I don't really blame Q on this one.
- golfbard

Kane's playoff performance this season in particular shows that he's reached yet another level. One would think he can compete with Sid for the hardware if given a proper center. Nothing against Zeus but he's at the end of a long distinguished career and was holding Kane back.

This isn't about moving Kane up to play with Toews either. Q will change line combos at the drop of a hat. The fact is Bowman has ignored this area of need for several years and didn't get Hossa a center when he needed it either. It's been a game of musical chairs at that position. Heck Bowman even trumpeted Kane as the new #2 center at one point while proclaiming one of the kids would eventually become the #2 - it hasn't happened. And now all eyes on are TT.

Bolland/Kruger/Kane/Sharp/Saad/Pirri/Shaw/Zeus/Regin etc...

and from the rock McNeil/Broadhurst/Danault/LeBlanc...

Kane needs a veteran playmaking center now not another project. And now he has the leverage and Bowman has to do something. It needs to get done. The question is how to get a center without Saad being in the equation.

Should be interesting leading up to the draft next week.
You're on the clock Stan.

As I've said before, do I think both sign in Chicago? Yes.

Is it all peaches and cream? No.
- John Jaeckel

Maybe, instead of threatening to leave, Kane is saying: either spend a couple of million on a 2C for me, or give that money you're not spending on a 2C TO me.

You read the script perfectly.

You're right: money, personal adulation, things like that NEVER enter into anything in sports. Kane and Toews are the best of pals on and off the ice. One Goal. Pass the kool-aid.
- John Jaeckel

Take a look at Parise and Suter. Both went home when the money was about equal and eve greater in some places.

I have no idea if Kane wants to play here, but it would be foolish to not at least think about it. Kane comes home and helps his hometown team get to a cup. He would be considered a hero.

Kane's playoff performance this season in particular shows that he's reached yet another level. One would think he can compete with Sid for the hardware if given a proper center. Nothing against Zeus but he's at the end of a long distinguished career and was holding Kane back.

This isn't about moving Kane up to play with Toews either. Q will change line combos at the drop of a hat. The fact is Bowman has ignored this area of need for several years and didn't get Hossa a center when he needed it either. It's been a game of musical chairs at that position. Heck Bowman even trumpeted Kane as the new #2 center at one point while proclaiming one of the kids would eventually become the #2 - it hasn't happened. And now all eyes on are TT.

Bolland/Kruger/Kane/Sharp/Saad/Pirri/Shaw/Zeus/Regin etc...

and from the rock McNeil/Broadhurst/Danault/LeBlanc...

Kane needs a veteran playmaking center now not another project. And now he has the leverage and Bowman has to do something. It needs to get done. The question is how to get a center without Saad being in the equation.

Should be interesting leading up to the draft next week.
You're on the clock Stan.
- DK002

A situation where catering to the "selfish" player helps the team too.

Take a look at Parise and Suter. Both went home when the money was about equal and eve greater in some places.

I have no idea if Kane wants to play here, but it would be foolish to not at least think about it. Kane comes home and helps his hometown team get to a cup. He would be considered a hero.
- ImThatGuy

Here's what I see (and hear):

The money, opportunities to win Cups, etc., keeps him in Chicago. he and Toews have the same agent. Their contracts are on a parallel path.

BUT . . . he DOES very much want to step out of Toews' shadow, either with the Hawks or elsewhere. He does that with the Hawks by reaching his personal goals. If he can't, I think Buffalo would be his first choice, where he would lead the Sabres back to a Renaissance.

Whoa whoa whoa ....Kane is not a cancer .

It is a legitimate beef to want to play with a real center night in and night out. Look what he has accomplished with Zus and Shaw as his centers. Kane and everyone else sees that the Hawks can aquired a real top.6 center by moving picks and an asset or two. Its not an unreasonable request on his part . Especially if he is going to sign in the 8.0-8.5 mi range for 8 more years.
- mrpaulish

Agree. It's not unreasonable at all. If, ultimately, the cost of a top-shelf 2C involves moving Saad, then maybe this is what has to happen? Saad may well be on the verge of becoming a great player, but if the choice is between him and a happy, signed #88 with a productive 2nd line, I'd take the latter.

And NOW might be the best time to package Leddy with some prospects/draft picks for value too...

A situation where catering to the
- StLBravesFan "selfish" player helps the team too.

Agreed St. Lou. The players know they've needed a number 2 center for some time - just ask Hossa. It will definitely improve the team. The question is who goes Sharp/Oduya/Leddy as well as additional pieces players.

Stan has worked around the edges keeping the core mostly in tact Bolland and Campbell being the exceptions and both salary dumps. Can he make a major trade? That remains to be seen.

Agree. It's not unreasonable at all. If, ultimately, the cost of a top-shelf 2C involves moving Saad, then maybe this is what has to happen? Saad may well be on the verge of becoming a great player, but if the choice is between him and a happy, signed #88 with a productive 2nd line, I'd take the latter.

And NOW might be the best time to package Leddy with some prospects/draft picks for value too...
- Tugboat

Very reasonable and professional for Kane to want a legit centerman. Stan needs to get it done.

How exciting! A outdoor game in DC vs Ovie. Just think Boys and Girls, yet another "Winter Classic" sweater will soon be available!!!!


PS I'll let the reader add their own colored font.

Take a look at Parise and Suter. Both went home when the money was about equal and eve greater in some places.

I have no idea if Kane wants to play here, but it would be foolish to not at least think about it. Kane comes home and helps his hometown team get to a cup. He would be considered a hero.
- ImThatGuy

thats always a common misconception with them

THe fact of the matter is when Parise and Suter accepted the MIN deals, it was the top dollar out there at the time. Other GMs came out and said they would have upper their offer even more if they knew or their agents came back to them, but make no mistake, MIN was the one throwing the most money around. Actually as I recall, they offered either Suter or Parise more than what they wound up getting, but they took less so they could go out and get the other, but even the scaled back number was more than anyone else was offering

Agree. It's not unreasonable at all. If, ultimately, the cost of a top-shelf 2C involves moving Saad, then maybe this is what has to happen? Saad may well be on the verge of becoming a great player, but if the choice is between him and a happy, signed #88 with a productive 2nd line, I'd take the latter.

And NOW might be the best time to package Leddy with some prospects/draft picks for value too...
- Tugboat

Leddy Sharp or Leddy picks Morin should be able to get the Hawks a real.center to center Kane and Saad for many years

If Kane really wants a trophy or trophies for Patrick Kane and is going to hold the team hostage I'm of the mind to ship him out to the highest bidder. If being on a winning team isn't more important than individual awards, trade him somewhere else.
- paulr

I fall somewhere between these two thoughts.

I started saying that at the beginning of last year and people have been calling me an idiot for thinking that he wouldn't be a "team player" and blah blah.

The best players have a drive to be the best and also want the hardware to go with it regardless of what they say in an interview. And there is nothing to say he cant be a team player and want to be successful individually.

Been quite the good soldier so far and was HEAVILY leaned on this off season and even during the regular season when they were dragging ass. Taking what he was dragging around into account for most of the season is darn impressive.

Until July its gonna be one day at a time... just happy to be here... good lord willing things will work out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8
- fattybeef

Sounds like you are the only one celebrating there.
- powerenforcer

Recovering from mass consumption of our favorite adult beverage.

Kane would be happy with Frans Neilsen!!
- DarthKane

Kane will be happy with frans Nielsen. ...

Kane will be happy with frans Nielsen. ...
- UnnamedSource

Thank you for the correction!!

Kane will be happy with frans Nielsen. ...
- UnnamedSource

He sure would.....