Yep, Sharp on LW had 3 assists.
- HawkintheD

And took most of the draws for the line.

So? that Kane guy? Still think Kessel is better?
- Elbows15

This is where the train gets derailed. Nobody ever said Kessel was better than Kane. It came down to "Is Kane worth his $10.5 mil hit going forward if it gouges the team?"

I then suggested that would you rather have someone like Phil Kessel at 8.0 or Kane at 10.5 considering they basically score at the same rate the past few years. Kessel scores more goals, Kane gets more assists

Is Kane the better player? ABSOLUTELY. Is he $2.5 mil better than Kessel? Thats what I balk at

I was pissed last night that the Hawks didn't have an on ice immediate answer for some of the liberties taken on their stars. Hossa was getting mugged all first period, Toews got face slapped to the ice in front of the net, and then Kane got boarded... I know this team is not a muscle squad, but for the love of Pete, someone needed to step in on some of these matters. I miss the likes of Jamal Mayers, and dare I say, even Brookbank last year would stand up for his teammates. I try to reserve judgement on Bickell, but he is the guy that needs to be a lot nastier. Or else, they need to get someone who can play but still go when it's required. Last night it was required, and if they don't start sticking up for one another it's just going to get worse.

Kane is a better hockey player than Kessel. I never said Kessel was not a guy who can put up points. He does. Kane has grown into a player who plays both sides of the ice when he wants.
- Elbows15

Fixed. Just calling it for what it is.

I do agree, though that the number of points he scores relative to his deal is kind of meaningless. He and JT step up when it matters.

Love him nor hate him, Kane (especially) is a big game player in the playoffs like few we have seen in our lifetimes.

That said, few appreciate the foot soldiers who've opened up the ice for him in games 5-7 of many playoff series with huge hits and physical pressure in Games 1-4 (Byfuglien, Brouwer, Bolland, Shaw, Bickell, Eager, Ladd, etc)

Raanta reminds Hawk fans too much of Huet. His technique has improved a lot this season though. Still is bad on breakaways and shuutouts though.
- Elbows15

Huet was actually pretty good in shootouts.

If anything Raanta reminds me more of Niemi. Quick and athletic but a bit of a fat rebound machine.

Fixed. Just calling it for what it is.

I do agree, though that the number of points he scores relative to his deal is kind of meaningless. He and JT step up when it matters.

Love him nor hate him, Kane (especially) is a big game player in the playoffs like few we have seen in our lifetimes.

That said, few appreciate the foot soldiers who've opened up the ice for him in games 5-7 of many playoff series with huge hits and physical pressure in Games 1-4 (Byfuglien, Brouwer, Bolland, Shaw, Bickell, Eager, Ladd, etc)
- John Jaeckel

Just playing devils adovcate, but on this same train of logic, should we be ok with Bickell just coasting right now and not doing much of anything regarding production? He shows up come playoff time (we hope) but I think people beyond a certain price tag have a minimum expectation of in-season production

And took most of the draws for the line.
- StLBravesFan

He was very good last night.

Just playing devils adovcate, but on this same train of logic, should we be ok with Bickell just coasting right now and not doing much of anything regarding production? He shows up come playoff time (we hope) but I think people beyond a certain price tag have a minimum expectation of in-season production
- FourFeathers773

Great question with no easy answer.

He drives me nuts for 82 games and then he's a beast . . . when it matters. A lot like Byfuglien but with 33 you got more in the regular season and def without the puck.

Fixed. Just calling it for what it is.

I do agree, though that the number of points he scores relative to his deal is kind of meaningless. He and JT step up when it matters.

Love him nor hate him, Kane (especially) is a big game player in the playoffs like few we have seen in our lifetimes.

That said, few appreciate the foot soldiers who've opened up the ice for him in games 5-7 of many playoff series with huge hits and physical pressure in Games 1-4 (Byfuglien, Brouwer, Bolland, Shaw, Bickell, Eager, Ladd, etc)
- John Jaeckel

Its a good thing he wants to most of the time these days. Kane WANTS the puck on his stick in big games. In fact, he demands it. Every player in the league is a product of guys they play with. Kane is no different in that respect than a guy like Toews and others. What separates them is what they do with the space like Toews and Kane do in close out games.

This is where the train gets derailed. Nobody ever said Kessel was better than Kane. It came down to "Is Kane worth his $10.5 mil hit going forward if it gouges the team?"

I then suggested that would you rather have someone like Phil Kessel at 8.0 or Kane at 10.5 considering they basically score at the same rate the past few years. Kessel scores more goals, Kane gets more assists

Is Kane the better player? ABSOLUTELY. Is he $2.5 mil better than Kessel? Thats what I balk at
- FourFeathers773

Kane shows up in big games. Kessel doesn't. Kane is marketed by the league. Kessel isn't. He is worth the 2.5. No matter what you or I think about it, the Hawk management think he is.

He was very good last night.
- John Jaeckel

sharp is usually very good at the dot. No surprise there.

Kane shows up in big games. Kessel doesn't. Kane is marketed by the league. Kessel isn't. He is worth the 2.5. No matter what you or I think about it, the Hawk management think he is.
- Elbows15

This brings up a thought about the salary cap, is it fair that a team has to pay a player a higher salary for this? Maybe the league should build a salary cushion for players that are marketing tools for the league. The overage to average salary should be credited to the team salary cap.

Its a good thing he wants to most of the time these days. Kane WANTS the puck on his stick in big games. In fact, he demands it. Every player in the league is a product of guys they play with. Kane is no different in that respect than a guy like Toews and others. What separates them is what they do with the space like Toews and Kane do in close out games.
- Elbows15

No argument.

Kane shows up in big games. Kessel doesn't. Kane is marketed by the league. Kessel isn't. He is worth the 2.5. No matter what you or I think about it, the Hawk management think he is.
- Elbows15

1. Kessel is an American player in Canada. If Kane played for a canadian team, he wouldnt be as heavily marketed in the states, and that is just fact. Name the most heavily marketed player in the US that plays for a Canadian team, none of them ever get mentioned in the states in marketing campaigns

2. This whole Kessel doesnt show up in big games is just silly. Kessel has 21 pts in 22 playoff games for .95 ppg in the playoffs. Kane has 91 pts in 93 games for .97 ppg in the playoffs

And the game 7 collapse TOR had vs Boston the other year, Kessel had 1G,1A in that game, so not sure how he didnt show up there

Kessel also led the olympics in scoring.

Im not trying to slight Kane at all, but Kessel doesnt take the massive back seat to Kane like most people on here are making it out to be

1. Kessel is an American player in Canada. If Kane played for a canadian team, he wouldnt be as heavily marketed in the states, and that is just fact. Name the most heavily marketed player in the US that plays for a Canadian team, none of them ever get mentioned in the states in marketing campaigns

2. This whole Kessel doesnt show up in big games is just silly. Kessel has 21 pts in 22 playoff games for .95 ppg in the playoffs. Kane has 91 pts in 93 games for .97 ppg in the playoffs

And the game 7 collapse TOR had vs Boston the other year, Kessel had 1G,1A in that game, so not sure how he didnt show up there

Kessel also led the olympics in scoring.

Im not trying to slight Kane at all, but Kessel doesnt take the massive back seat to Kane like most people on here are making it out to be
- FourFeathers773

Kessel plays in the biggest market in Canada. Don't tell me when how many points they have. Tell me when. If you can't see you are watching one of the most clutch players in the league, along with Toews, I really can't explain it to you.

I was pissed last night that the Hawks didn't have an on ice immediate answer for some of the liberties taken on their stars. Hossa was getting mugged all first period, Toews got face slapped to the ice in front of the net, and then Kane got boarded... I know this team is not a muscle squad, but for the love of Pete, someone needed to step in on some of these matters. I miss the likes of Jamal Mayers, and dare I say, even Brookbank last year would stand up for his teammates. I try to reserve judgement on Bickell, but he is the guy that needs to be a lot nastier. Or else, they need to get someone who can play but still go when it's required. Last night it was required, and if they don't start sticking up for one another it's just going to get worse.
- DirkGraham

How was it "required"? The Blackhawks won 4-0 by handling it their way. They have have won two cups in five years by handing it their way. This isn't the 70's or 80's.

This brings up a thought about the salary cap, is it fair that a team has to pay a player a higher salary for this? Maybe the league should build a salary cushion for players that are marketing tools for the league. The overage to average salary should be credited to the team salary cap.
- powerenforcer

How are the Hawks paying Kane a larger salary because of league marketing? They are paying him a higher salary - next season and beyond - because that is what is market value is. Or more accurately, it is closer to what his market value is. If he went UFA, there is no doubt in my mind teams would ante up north of 10.5 million for him.

How was it "required"? The Blackhawks won 4-0 by handling it their way. They have have won two cups in five years by handing it their way. This isn't the 70's or 80's.
- BreakoutHockey

That;s what my son said to me, "This isn't the 80s Dad!"... Well I am not of your school of thought for what it's worth. They could have won 3-0 and it's still 2 points, and it would be worth more to the team if someone would have beat the poop out of Dion Phaneuf.

Kessel plays in the biggest market in Canada. Don't tell me when how many points they have. Tell me when. If you can't see you are watching one of the most clutch players in the league, along with Toews, I really can't explain it to you.
- Elbows15

What does that have anything to do with Kane being 10x more heavily marketed nationwide here in the U.S. vs Kessel who gets moderate publicity in eastern canada?

Kane was better than Kessel tonight but they both have their moments of brilliance. The both have 36 points but Kessel is a better goal scorer and Kane as good a playmaker as there is, maybe Giroux, Voracek, Getzlaf may have something to say about that.
- flyerdude17

Kessel was on holiday break last night....did nothing but troll around center ice waiting for a stretch pass...he gotta few but missed the net

How are the Hawks paying Kane a larger salary because of league marketing? They are paying him a higher salary - next season and beyond - because that is what is market value is. Or more accurately, it is closer to what his market value is. If he went UFA, there is no doubt in my mind teams would ante up north of 10.5 million for him.
- BreakoutHockey

After all the years of watching the best players leave because the owner didn't want to pay them, I am glad to be able to keep the two cornerstones to this team for the next 8 years.

How was it "required"? The Blackhawks won 4-0 by handling it their way. They have have won two cups in five years by handing it their way. This isn't the 70's or 80's.
- BreakoutHockey

Versteeg started going after Polak after the hit on Kane - Kane told him to back off, PP coming, don't screw it up.

After all the years of watching the best players leave because the owner didn't want to pay them, I am glad to be able to keep the two cornerstones to this team for the next 8 years.
- Elbows15

And - cornerstones who are still only 26.

Just playing devils adovcate, but on this same train of logic, should we be ok with Bickell just coasting right now and not doing much of anything regarding production? He shows up come playoff time (we hope) but I think people beyond a certain price tag have a minimum expectation of in-season production
- FourFeathers773

4 mildo per for guy who hits 20 point mark and is a so called "playoff specialist".

A luxury the the hwks can not afford next year....his money is ticketed for K and T as he is ticketed for uncle Dale.

What does that have anything to do with Kane being 10x more heavily marketed nationwide here in the U.S. vs Kessel who gets moderate publicity in eastern canada?
- FourFeathers773

Last time I checked, Toronto is in eastern Canada.