As to your question about why Kane would have to go if he's going to straighten up and fly right. You can only threaten people with consequences of their actions so often, until you have to be a man (or woman) of your word and pull the trigger.

The Kane and Toews contracts are two really big contracts to manage under one salary cap. Kane is an amazing talent who shows up in the big moments, that's hard to replace. But they could fit two or three players on the team with that saved cap space (assuming a minimum salary for any roster space.) There's an argument to be made that the Blackhawks might be better off on the ice with that scenario. (Although I'm not ready to make it, I can see the possibility depending on the return.)

JJ, there must be other private incidents from Kane that we are not privy to in order for the Hawks to take such a drastic measure as to trade a cornerstone of their franchise. They will surely lose whatever trade is made unless you view gaining cap room as a trade win. I agree with your statement, if Kane admits he has a behavior problem and agrees to clean up his act, then there is no reason for Stan to trade him.
- duxcup07

He has issues. I have personally witnessed him stumbling around a bar in downtown Buffalo like an 19 year old. Of course there is nothing remotely wrong with that once in a while, but it's not once in a while. It's all offseason with him.

Thanks for the update JJ, but like I said before Kane isn't going anywhere, I'll be shocked, I believe this is the Hawks way of saying we are really disappointed at you Patrick and we are letting you think we are shopping you because of your stupid and irresponsible choices. Honestly if I were the Ducks I would be persuing CC that team is so close.

Let me guess...
Carolina sends Skinner and Hanifin + to Hawks for Bickell and Seabrook or Hammer. I hope not because I just don't think we could replace Seabrook or Hammer. But I have a feeling the Hawks are very high on Hanifin.
- FourOrr

WOW I hope you're joking. That's rich.

If Kane is innocent, I see nothing good that comes from trading him. We will not get equal return. Simple enough. Let's not forget what built this brand again. Stanley Cups and winning on the ice. If they for a second think these bandwagon fans will all stick around when we become a mediocre team, then they are sadly mistaken. Without Kane on the ice, I don't see us being a contender. Him and Toews are just coming into their primes and Hossa, Keith, Seabrook (if we can find a way to resign him) aren't getting any younger. Our window is now with Kane in the picture. Without him, it is a whole unknown story. Kane is a proven winner and if innocent, I don't want to see him gone just to save the brand he and Toews (yes along with help) built. The weight has always been on their shoulders though.
- LuckyStrikeW

You don't have to, you aren't paying (I assume), hundreds & thousands of $ in sponsorship. Your partner/wife/girlfriend probably doesn't care about what impact Patrick Kane has on anything.

Major contributors do, their wives/partners do. In the high end business world where a lot of people don't care about hockey some probably don't even know what it is, the name Patrick Kane is toxic. The stories that are currently circulating would be devastating to 'some' parts of society & 100% in the business world.

Now that's just my opinion so dismiss it if you want to, but from my experiences (I'm not in my 20's or 30's), it's a reality.

"For another player with baggage"?

It's got to be P Kane for E Kane.

Good guess?

Is voiding his contract even a legal possibility?
- hockey nut 28

Only if he is officially charged with rape.

Is voiding his contract even a legal possibility?
- hockey nut 28

We do not know what kind of clauses are in his contract. There could be a buyout clause if he happens to end up in the media. WE JUST DON'T KNOW all the wording in the contract.

Is Kane's situation any surprise to anyone. I watched the parade day and have it recorded and he says on stage to the fans, sure hope anyone isn't watching me the next two weeks. Hello !!!!! Red Flags all over that for me. Like I really know the fellas want to celebrate their victory, but we hold people accountable. I have been watching and cheering for the Hawks since I was a young lad (1959 BD) and am so proud of this organization. We will move on and we will win again. GO Hawks Go.

WOW I hope you're joking. That's rich.
- JakeTech19

There is a + in there which I would assume would be substantial. So it is NOT Bickell and either Seabrook or Hammer for just Skinner and Hanifin. And I hope I am way off base but if there is another Hawk with a substantial cap hit going the other way then tell me who would that be and for what.

We do not know what kind of clauses are in his contract. There could be a buyout clause if he happens to end up in the media. WE JUST DON'T KNOW all the wording in the contract.
- powerenforcer

It seems that even a standard player contract has enough in it
to terminate it, with serious charges. of course.
Doesn't look like Kings had enough, but "Sexual assault" would certainly qualify.

Based on what I had read.

Aside from the concussion problem, Skinner has 4 more years of $5.75M. That cap hit will still be on the books when TT, Dano, Panarin and Darling will need to be re-signed. It only makes sense if Kan'e $10.5M is off the books.

Kane should be placed on indefinite suspension until the court rulings are completed. If found guilty his contract should be voided. I realize he is innocent until proven guilty but the negative publicity this brings to hockey should not be tolerated and there should be consequences. This is the world we live in now. I am hoping that he is innocent and this is just an attempt to malign a great star in the hockey world. However, if proven guilty, he should never lace up his skates in an NHL dressing room again.

There is a + in there which I would assume would be substantial. So it is NOT Bickell and either Seabrook or Hammer for just Skinner and Hanifin. And I hope I am way off base but if there is another Hawk with a substantial cap hit going the other way then tell me who would that be and for what.
- FourOrr

Anisimov and Daley - $3.3MM each this year.

Certainly them before Seabrook or Hjalmarsson.

The Kane and Toews contracts are two really big contracts to manage under one salary cap. Kane is an amazing talent who shows up in the big moments, that's hard to replace. But they could fit two or three players on the team with that saved cap space (assuming a minimum salary for any roster space.) There's an argument to be made that the Blackhawks might be better off on the ice with that scenario. (Although I'm not ready to make it, I can see the possibility depending on the return.)
- matt_ahrens

The issue with a Kane for 3-4-5 player scenario is there are only so many roster spots and...That would be a huge deal from the standpoint of breaking up the best team in the game which already has quite a few new faces.

Can't see that happening right away. Also can't see anyone trading for Kane now, becasue on the worse end of things is the possibility his career is effectively over.

As I have been saying for awhile the odds favor Kane being suspended to begin the season unless this all blows away.

Anisimov and Daley - $3.3MM each this year.

Certainly them before Seabrook or Hjalmarsson.
- StLBravesFan

I would do that but would Carolina?

Let me guess...
Carolina sends Skinner and Hanifin + to Hawks for Bickell and Seabrook or Hammer. I hope not because I just don't think we could replace Seabrook or Hammer. But I have a feeling the Hawks are very high on Hanifin.
- FourOrr

I don't think that Carolina would do that deal... What hanifin is supposed to develop into is better than seabs & hjalmar combined. I feel like what you proposed is a "win now" type deal for Carolina, and they are in NO position to make a trade like that. Carolina would be MUCH better off keeping skinner and letting hanifin develop over the long run

Aside from the concussion problem, Skinner has 4 more years of $5.75M. That cap hit will still be on the books when TT, Dano, Panarin and Darling will need to be re-signed. It only makes sense if Kan'e $10.5M is off the books.
- EbonyRaptor

It doesn't make any sense to me on any level unless part of a much larger deal.

lol

Kane should be placed on indefinite suspension until the court rulings are completed. If found guilty his contract should be voided. I realize he is innocent until proven guilty but the negative publicity this brings to hockey should not be tolerated and there should be consequences. This is the world we live in now. I am hoping that he is innocent and this is just an attempt to malign a great star in the hockey world. However, if proven guilty, he should never lace up his skates in an NHL dressing room again.
- razrsege007

I'm curious what happens if nothing has changed by the time training camp starts. I doubt the Blackhawks are going to want him there. I doubt the NHL is wanting the potential media circus. It's would be bad enough without him there.

You don't have to, you aren't paying (I assume), hundreds & thousands of $ in sponsorship. Your partner/wife/girlfriend probably doesn't care about what impact Patrick Kane has on anything.

Major contributors do, their wives/partners do. In the high end business world where a lot of people don't care about hockey some probably don't even know what it is, the name Patrick Kane is toxic. The stories that are currently circulating would be devastating to 'some' parts of society & 100% in the business world.

Now that's just my opinion so dismiss it if you want to, but from my experiences (I'm not in my 20's or 30's), it's a reality.
- Aussiepenguin

By toxic do you mean like Mike Tyson toxic or Michael Vick toxic or Ben Roethlisberger toxic, or Ray Rice toxic or Floyd Mayweather toxic or Ray Lewis toxic???....And I could keep going.

If Kane isn't convicted of a crime he will continue to play in the NHL, and somewhere people will cheer him, just like all the others. But that doesn't mean Kane will be playing for the Blackhawks.

Kane should be placed on indefinite suspension until the court rulings are completed. If found guilty his contract should be voided. I realize he is innocent until proven guilty but the negative publicity this brings to hockey should not be tolerated and there should be consequences. This is the world we live in now. I am hoping that he is innocent and this is just an attempt to malign a great star in the hockey world. However, if proven guilty, he should never lace up his skates in an NHL dressing room again.
- razrsege007

I think for a player to be suspended without being charged or even if charged it has to be part of the NHL code of conduct. To get something written into the coc the players association would not agree. Remember, hockey isn't only their sport, it's their livelihoods. They get paid well yes, but so do solicitors, politicians, GM's, CEO etc. If a CEO does what Kane has (whatever that may be), would he be suspended from work? It also depends on the organisations policies - if the CEO doesn't get suspended for the same thing why should a player?

As for being expelled from the NHL, I disagree. Any player should be lawfully sanctioned along with whatever is in the NHL policies but still should be able to ply his trade after those sanctions are complete. Now the question would be whether or not a NHL team would employ that player - I have no doubt that Kane or even Voynov would have takers - probably just a reduced number of options.

It's their employment & everyone has a right to be employed. It's just your options are reduced once you start to take them for granted.

I'm curious what happens if nothing has changed by the time training camp starts. I doubt the Blackhawks are going to want him there. I doubt the NHL is wanting the potential media circus. It's would be bad enough without him there.
- matt_ahrens

Kane will be suspended...if things aren't settled.

By toxic do you mean like Mike Tyson toxic or Michael Vick toxic or Ben Roethlisberger toxiv, or Ray Rice toxic or Floyd Mayweather toxic or Ray Lewis toxic???....And I could keep going.

If Kane isn't convicted of a crime he will continue to play in the NHL, and somewhere people will cheer him, just like all the others. But that doesn't mean Kane will be playing for the Blackhawks.
- Al

why shouldn't it be in Chicago then?