Nothing but rumors so far. Some people have it confirmed from sources.


No one really knows.
- Elbows15

soooo.... what rumors?

soooo.... what rumors?
- moylander

Sex outside his marriage.

Sex outside his marriage.
- Elbows15

Yet, MJ is a hero, a role model to all ...

Yet, MJ is a hero, a role model to all ...
- Q...argh

Its the shoes.

Sex outside his marriage.
- Elbows15

so cryptic. so how is kane involved? sorry - been tied up with giroux grabbing male cop ass rumors lately.

if Leddy needs coaching, we can help.

oh, wait...


- Isles_since_6

Notice that th one Islander that is great defensively is not in that picture...guess who that is.

so cryptic. so how is kane involved? sorry - been tied up with giroux grabbing male cop ass rumors lately.
- moylander

Exactly. Its all cryptic at this point.


That isn't a rumor. That happened.

Sex outside his marriage.
- Elbows15

And allegedly with a teammate's GF or Wife. Allegedly. Even if it's true he's not the first guy to do that. I'm sure he's not the first Hawk even. But if it's created locker room problems then it does need to be addressed.

And allegedly with a teammate's GF or Wife. Allegedly. Even if it's true he's not the first guy to do that. I'm sure he's not the first Hawk even. But if it's created locker room problems then it does need to be addressed.
- Hemingways

That part I haven't heard.

Like all rumors though, they take on a life of their own.

That part I haven't heard.

Like all rumors though, they take on a life of their own.
- Elbows15

And that's the problem. There's likely some truth to some of it but who knows what. And in reality it's really not our business. We hope these guys are all saints but they're real people who make mistakes, get pissed off, do bad things, etc. The GM should only get involved if a player is causing problems on the team, IMO. The GM isn't there to be Big Brother, but if it's as bad as some of the rumors, then the GM does need to intervene. We all know about Ryne Sandberg and the big trade with Texas that seemed to solve a similar problem, only temporarily though. If your star player says it's him or me, the GM has no choice but to choose a side.

What a mess.

I agree that the Hawks are an image based organization.

That being said...

I think there's a big difference between a 22-23 year old kid getting drunk in public during his offseason and a 32 year old man allowing his personal life to effect his job performance.

A focused Patrick Sharp would've put this team in the SCF.
- Hawks82

It's not fair to take a shot at Sharp for "allowing his personal life to effect his job". This happens to anyone that's married and/or has kids. It's something that needs to be managed for sure, but that alone doesn't make Sharp a bad guy or bad Blackhawk.

I'm surprised how fast people have turned on Sharp. Yes, there were some who always disliked the guy (Ogi) but it wasn't until we were eliminated by the Kings did Sharp become a problem. I'm not condoning any alleged bad behaviour on Sharp's part, but it seems like many people are quick to judge and turn their backs on a guy who's been a major part of our team for a long time. Especially without knowing all the details.

And that's the problem. There's likely some truth to some of it but who knows what. And in reality it's really not our business. We hope these guys are all saints but they're real people who make mistakes, get pissed off, do bad things, etc. The GM should only get involved if a player is causing problems on the team, IMO. The GM isn't there to be Big Brother, but if it's as bad as some of the rumors, then the GM does need to intervene. We all know about Ryne Sandberg and the big trade with Texas that seemed to solve a similar problem, only temporarily though. If your star player says it's him or me, the GM has no choice but to choose a side.

What a mess.
- Hemingways

lol... does happen a lot.

hartnells wife slept with jeff carter...led to a nasty divorce.

also lindros slept with brind'amours wife.... actually heard tocchet beat the crud outta lindros for it - causing a concussion and the eventual trade of brind'amour


hope your guys can figure it out. you have a great team.

Sharp really did seem like the big brother to kane and others. He was the big practical joker, too. Guess you never know. But Kane and sharp always seemed like they really got along. Of course we know what happens to guys when a woman is involved

It's not fair to take a shot at Sharp for "allowing his personal life to effect his job". This happens to anyone that's married and/or has kids. It's something that needs to be managed for sure, but that alone doesn't make Sharp a bad guy or bad Blackhawk.

I'm surprised how fast people have turned on Sharp. Yes, there were some who always disliked the guy (Ogi) but it wasn't until we were eliminated by the Kings did Sharp become a problem. I'm not condoning any alleged bad behaviour on Sharp's part, but it seems like many people are quick to judge and turn their backs on a guy who's been a major part of our team for a long time. Especially without knowing all the details.
- DarthKane

And I agree with this, too sharp has been a great hawk. A big part of 2 Cups and all this success. I still think they should trade him but that has more to do with the cap plus his trade value

And I agree with this, too sharp has been a great hawk. A big part of 2 Cups and all this success. I still think they should trade him but that has more to do with the cap plus his trade value
- tomcat24

I agree, he made the most sense to me to deal this off-season if he could bring a decent return, regardless of any rumors. Someone has to go next off-season, you really don't want to be backed into a corner where teams know you have to dump salary. I think Stan might have shot himself in the foot this off-season signing a couple of guys and going over the cap before clearing space.

lol... does happen a lot.

hartnells wife slept with jeff carter...led to a nasty divorce.

also lindros slept with brind'amours wife.... actually heard tocchet beat the crud outta lindros for it - causing a concussion and the eventual trade of brind'amour


hope your guys can figure it out. you have a great team.
- moylander

Now that is how you deal with that tocchet was a tough sob. So is that why there were rumors of 2 sides in philly? Pronger and I guess hartnell on one side with carter and richards on the other?

I agree, he made the most sense to me to deal this off-season if he could bring a decent return, regardless of any rumors. Someone has to go next off-season, you really don't want to be backed into a corner where teams know you have to dump salary. I think Stan might have shot himself in the foot this off-season signing a couple of guys and going over the cap before clearing space.
- Hemingways

Stan wouldn't have gone over the cap without a plan. You can judge Stan for his trades or draft choices, but his ability to manage the cap is second to none.

I have no issue with Sharp being traded for cap reasons, although I'd explore other alternatives. But all this talk of trading him for other reasons, when we don't have the facts, in unnecessary.

I agree, he made the most sense to me to deal this off-season if he could bring a decent return, regardless of any rumors. Someone has to go next off-season, you really don't want to be backed into a corner where teams know you have to dump salary. I think Stan might have shot himself in the foot this off-season signing a couple of guys and going over the cap before clearing space.
- Hemingways

I agree. But I guess free agents are signing so quickly now he had to sign richards before another team came in with a better offer. Luckily they aren't that far over now. All stan has to do is dump 1 contract now I think. It shouldn't be too hard if he takes the easy way out to just dump 1 player for a 7th rounder or whatever. So he has options if other teams think they can low-ball him. I just hope he looks at now and the future in trading someone good

I agree. But I guess free agents are signing so quickly now he had to sign richards before another team came in with a better offer. Luckily they aren't that far over now. All stan has to do is dump 1 contract now I think. It shouldn't be too hard if he takes the easy way out to just dump 1 player for a 7th rounder or whatever. So he has options if other teams think they can low-ball him. I just hope he looks at now and the future in trading someone good
- tomcat24

"All he has to do...."

What one player? Versteeg? Roszival? Which team would want to take on their (even relatively small) cap hit?

Leddy? Oduya? Each would require a replacement - a 4/5 defenseman - that would cost almost as much as the lost skater.

Bickell? The only remaining forward with some size who can hit?

Sharp? Now it's getting complicated.

"All he has to do", I think, is going to turn out not to be as easy as we think.

"All he has to do...."

What one player? Versteeg? Roszival? Which team would want to take on their (even relatively small) cap hit?

Leddy? Oduya? Each would require a replacement - a 4/5 defenseman - that would cost almost as much as the lost skater.

Bickell? The only remaining forward with some size who can hit?

Sharp? Now it's getting complicated.

"All he has to do", I think, is going to turn out not to be as easy as we think.
- StLBravesFan

To think anything useful comes back in any deal is probably fantasy. SB is not negotiating from any position of strength at this point. They have to get below the cap and every other GM knows it. While moving Versteeg or Roszival will help they would still probably need to move someone else. A high salary player needs to go, and if they don't go this year then someone will for sure next year when the wonder twins new contracts will kick in. Right now it's like a dead pool where we're waiting for the next player to go. Odds are there won't be anything in return.

Sharp for Nielsen!
- HawkintheD

This!

I agree. But I guess free agents are signing so quickly now he had to sign richards before another team came in with a better offer. Luckily they aren't that far over now. All stan has to do is dump 1 contract now I think. It shouldn't be too hard if he takes the easy way out to just dump 1 player for a 7th rounder or whatever. So he has options if other teams think they can low-ball him. I just hope he looks at now and the future in trading someone good
- tomcat24

Did he? If Richards' one priority was a chance to win next year, who else could offer better? The Hawks' were close last year and allow him (as of now, at least) to slot in between Kane and Saad. Who else of any of the serious cup contenders could offer that kind of situation?

Stan wouldn't have gone over the cap without a plan. You can judge Stan for his trades or draft choices, but his ability to manage the cap is second to none.

I have no issue with Sharp being traded for cap reasons, although I'd explore other alternatives. But all this talk of trading him for other reasons, when we don't have the facts, in unnecessary.
- DarthKane

Yet Stan continues to hand out NMCs like they're candy which is making it hard to move guys.

As far as Sharp...he still led the team in points last season. I thought he ran himself ragged earlier in the season trying to make the Olympic team and was gassed a bit after that. Playoffs he had 5 goals and 5 helpers...(Tied for 7th on the team with Bickell) while Saad had 16 points.

I think folks in general were disappointed with his playoffs especially after thinking he had to be hurt and then he showed up for BP at Wrigley. Reality is Saad is up for new paper next year and has taken the next step and you have the contracts of T&K. Do you move him now or wait a year and make another Cup run with him?

JJ,


The only real piece i can see there would be Stepan....possibly Hagelin...

Im sure they learned playing LA that they made a mistake letting Gaborik loose...

Maybe a Sharp and Leddy for Stepan and Hagelin deal....this would allow the Rangers to re-sign Brassard for the decent raise hes in line for....

doesnt really seem though that NY needs help on the blue line...

thoughts?
- ChicagoDave

That would be the worst possible trade nyr can make. Trade away stepan and hagelin? Then we have only 2 centers, brassard and moore.

You clearly have no idea what the rangers need. Stepan is at the moment as untouchable as mcdonagh.

This is such a silly comment...

Yet Stan continues to hand out NMCs like they're candy which is making it hard to move guys.

As far as Sharp...he still led the team in points last season. I thought he ran himself ragged earlier in the season trying to make the Olympic team and was gassed a bit after that. Playoffs he had 5 goals and 5 helpers...(Tied for 7th on the team with Bickell) while Saad had 16 points.

I think folks in general were disappointed with his playoffs especially after thinking he had to be hurt and then he showed up for BP at Wrigley. Reality is Saad is up for new paper next year and has taken the next step and you have the contracts of T&K. Do you move him now or wait a year and make another Cup run with him?
- DK002

Since they got Richards without having to give up anything I'd be ok with them keeping him this season and moving him next.

I'm looking at it mostly from an asset management standpoint. With 88 and 19 about to get their raises and 20 likely a sizable one too, Sharp's still the most tradable asset making core $$$. I think they need to trade him next off season at the latest so the Hawks can get something decent in return and it's not just a salary dump.