[quote=paulr]St. Louis did make team Canada ..... so maybe it does hold water now?
ok, your right he did get named ONLY AFTER STAMKOS WAS INJURED,,
- tampabaydoompatrol

He was a bubble player, so what's your point? Sorry .... SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

Am I the only one who thinks Seabrook is better than Duncan?
- tampabaydoompatrol

Probably the only one on the planet.

This poops starting to annoy me. I love Kane, but when i read stuff like this it really makes him look like a selfish wiener. So he needs to win a Hart Trophy, or he needs to score the most goals in the league? Or what? He'll leave? Really? Does he really think thats gonna happen on a team with such deep offensive talent like the Hawks? Put him with Toews(as legit of a center as you'll find) for a full season, i bet my life he still wont win Hart or score the most goals. Just too many other Hawks players that are gonna score and put up points. If he wants those trophies then he might as well just go play for a lesser team that needs to count on him for the full scoring load, seriously.

I know these are rumors and these statements aren't word for word what Kane has said, but if any of this is remotely true than its very disappointing. Disappointing that Kane cant see the difference between building a solid overall team with the cap situation in mind to get as close as possible to winning Stanley Cups....and building a dominant line around him with a superstar center(which would require creating too many other holes on the roster) just so he can rack up his own points. Jealousy of Toews? Overinflated Ego? Idk what it is but every time i read this poop it gets more and more agitating.
- SimpleJack

Kane wants to be the best player he can be. Period. He wants to be the best player in the NHL. He has lofty goals.

I'm glad he wants those awards. Brandon Bolig should have those same goals.

Kane is not the problem. The kid shows up in BIG games and BIG times all the time. We are blessed to have both of our TOP guys be CLUTCH players and that's why the Hawks have success.

Kane wants to be the best player he can be. Period. He wants to be the best player in the NHL. He has lofty goals.

I'm glad he wants those awards. Brandon Bolig should have those same goals.

Kane is not the problem. The kid shows up in BIG games and BIG times all the time. We are blessed to have both of our TOP guys be CLUTCH players and that's why the Hawks have success.
- SteveRain

Don't like "me too" posts, but "yes" to all of this.

Hell, we see the problem - certainly the super player in the middle of it would see it.

Don't like "me too" posts, but "yes" to all of this.

Hell, we see the problem - certainly the super player in the middle of it would see it.
- StLBravesFan

Did you notice in his year-end press conference, he was asked about the #2C and he just chuckled and kinda scratched his head before answering.

Yeah, the 5 million people in Grant Park was a sight to see....
- StLBravesFan

I remember how crazy it was when the full 7 million people showed up finally

I can't blame Kane for wanting a center that makes him better because anything that makes Kane better makes the whole team better.

He was right on Crosby's heels for the scoring trophy at the beginning of the year and then boom he was 13 points back.

I still would like to know how Kane feels about having Toewes as his center because if I was him and had a choice between Kesler and Toewes I would want Toewes along with Saad as my linemates.

Then providing none of these get traded I would find a center to put between Hossa and Sharp. Then if and when TT comes up, I would slide him between those two because I think that both of them are defensively responsible and need a center that can get them the puck in good scoring position.

Did you notice in his year-end press conference, he was asked about the #2C and he just chuckled and kinda scratched his head before answering.
- eburgio

He also talked about working with Shaw and Saad, should they be on the same line together come fall.

Am I the only one who thinks Seabrook is better than Duncan?
- tampabaydoompatrol

Duncan Meyer ??? - I agree he couldn't even beat Jerry in a race!

I remember how crazy it was when the full 7 million people showed up finally
- BlazinMike

Feel bad for the 3,000,000 that were turned away.

Did you notice in his year-end press conference, he was asked about the #2C and he just chuckled and kinda scratched his head before answering.
- eburgio

To Wiz's point about Edmonton in the last blog.....Sam Gagner is one of Kane's closest friends in hockey.......

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

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

I don't doubt anything you're saying, but I don't think it's cause for alarm.

Does Kane want the team to improve the roster (i.e. 2C) and is it ok for him to ask this? Yes, of course.

Will Kane walk if Stan doesn't commit to getting a 2C? I doubt it.

Does Kane want to win individual awards? Sure, who wouldn't. But I would suspect he's more concerned with winning the big silver team award more than anything.

Does Kane dream about playing in Buffalo one day? Probably, while there's nothing wrong with that I don't see this being a major contributor to his current situation.

There's also talk about Kane living in Toews' shadow. If that is indeed the case that's something beyond the Blackhawks' control. They don't market Toews any more than Kane. Everything the Blackhawks have done with Toews they've done with Kane (other than making him captain).

Like I said, I don't doubt there is some truth to what JJ is saying, but I think it needs to be put in the proper context. Kane would like to see some improvements made on the team, but I think it would be unfair to Kane to say he's the type of character to bolt if his personal demands aren't met. I think Kane is better than that.

Duncan Meyer ??? - I agree he couldn't even beat Jerry in a race!
- vabeachbear

NOW THAT WAS FUNNY!!1

Kane is typically not paired with Toews because Q wants to have one of them on the ice against lesser defensive pairings and less effective forward lines. Does anyone know if it is Toews or Kane that usually benefits from that match-up? No anti-Kane agenda present here - love Kaner and want to stay and to reach his potential.

From Chris Kuc via Twitter:

I'm told that as of right now, there is still a possibility that defenseman Sheldon Brookbank will return to the #Blackhawks next season.

I'd be perfectly fine with moving Rosy at the draft for a low pick and going with Brookbank/Dahlbeck as the 6/7 next year. Leddy seemed much better with Brookbank last year than with Rozsival, and I'd imagine you could get Brookbank back for ~$1.5mil. That would net you $700k of cap savings and likely not hurt you one bit on-ice.

Grizzly Adams DID have a beard
- eburgio

THIS!!!!!

I don't dispute any of it. I think it's hilarious when Wirtz claims they lose money only have Forbes negate that claim.

McDonough is doing what he is supposed to be doing.....making money for Rockwell Wirtz.
- SteveRain

I remember reading about Papa Bear Halas and how he would give himself a 14 million dollar bonus at the end of the year and then claim that the Bears lost money. Sure it's just a trick of the trade.

How about maybe him thinking:

(1) It would be best for this team if we had a 2C I could play with
(2) I would like to be the best player I can be, and I need a real 2C to do that - and that would help the team
(3) Like every other great player, I would like to be recognized as one - and that means serious consideration for the Hart and other trophies

Don't see any of that as being selfish or putting himself before the team - just a highly competitive professional athlete.
- StLBravesFan

I fully agree with (1), but the point is its impossible to just simply acquire that caliber of a 2C without giving up too much, as has been stated. Kane needs to know this.

(2) completely relates to (1).

(3) If he were to hypothetically not win a Hart or Richard, but go on to win 2-3 more Stanley Cups and 1-2 more Conn Smythes, wouldn't he go on to be just as great in the lore of hockey?

Its one thing to be highly competitive and wish and even speak to the team about dreaming of having an elite 2C on the roster to play with. Its another to straight up leave the team and not resign because you dont have that ideal player, ESPECIALLY when he could be playing with Toews, one of the top 3 centers in the world....yet needs ANOTHER elite center on the 2nd line that somehow fits with the cap when we also have loaded talent at wing and on defense.

I'll admit, I'm a bandwagoner (to an extent)

Depending when/where you grow up has a lot to getting on board early with hockey early. Growing up outside of Springfield, I got a lot of Blues stuff (i hate St Louis but refused to go that direction) and the only way you could get Hawks games is if you had Sportschannel, but the only way you could get that is if you had one of HBO or Showtime. We didn't. So it was tough to be a fan.

I always used to watch the Stanley Cup Final, since it was aired on ESPN or Fox, but that was the only time hockey was consistently on TV. I used to get free tickets to Hawks games when I lived in Chicago. First game was vs Detroit, circa 2001 or 2002...6 rows off the ice, goal line extended. FREE! That got me interested as a casual fan. Then the Winter Classic piqued my interest even more and finally the olympics in 2010 really pulled me in.

Everyone has a story of how they got in. I feel embarrassed at times when you guys are all talking about 1960's and 1970's Hawks facts. and I have nothing to add. Either you guys are savants, or just really, really old!
- eburgio

I plead guilty, really, really old

To Wiz's point about Edmonton in the last blog.....Sam Gagner is one of Kane's closest friends in hockey.......
- UnnamedSource

If Kane and Toews can be convinced not to max out their earnings, the Hawks may be able to fit a bigger name, higher cap it hit center into the lineup. If Kane wants to win personal awards and win the cup he is going to have to give something up to be able to have it all. If both of them want to max out their contracts then the Hawks will have to make do with a lesser light as a 2C.

If Kane and Toews can be convinced not to max out their earnings, the Hawks may be able to fit a bigger name, higher cap it hit center into the lineup. If Kane wants to win personal awards and win the cup he is going to have to give something up to ne able to have it all. If both of them want to max out their contracts then the Hawks will have to make do with a lesser light as a 2C.
- paulr

I don't think it has to be a big name guy in that 2C role, but an actual, legit center. Not some fringe C/W that can take the occasional face-off.

Feel bad for the 3,000,000 that were turned away.
- StLBravesFan

But they at least were able to meet up with the 1 million people in the surrounding bars. Quite a day

Honestly that's all well and good but really who cares and I think the bottom line is, how many people showed up at the Blackhawks parade yesterday compared to the Kings?
- golfbard

I think I can actually see Wes McCauley and Dan OHalloran in the crowd.

Probably waiting for a Jonathon Quick autograph.... or maybe Dean Lombardi to drop off their checks?

[quote=BreakoutHockey]

I'd be in favor of bringing Brookbank back. He was solid in the playoffs.

If Kane and Toews can be convinced not to max out their earnings, the Hawks may be able to fit a bigger name, higher cap it hit center into the lineup. If Kane wants to win personal awards and win the cup he is going to have to give something up to be able to have it all. If both of them want to max out their contracts then the Hawks will have to make do with a lesser light as a 2C.
- paulr

One thing strikes me as odd with the whole "I'll (we'll) take less if you get a real 2C" meme. During the time frame relevant to the boys, the Hawks have always been a cap team that is trying to maximize their talent and go for the Cup. Why is there a sense now that one or both of them needs to pressure them into doing what they already do? Also, they are going to have to take a serious discount in order for there to be room on the roster for one extra "star" salary.