No - he isn't.

Kane is likely not going to be at the flag-raising ceremony.

But Toews, Hossa, Kruger, Terravainen, Shaw (presumably), Desjardins, eKith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Van Riemsdyk, Crawford, Darling will be. And Quenville. They won the Cup, too - and they had nothing to do with whatever happened in Buffalo.

Too bad Sharp and Saad and Oduya - AND Kane - won't be, but if we can't cheer for those still here - Stanley Cup Champions - and feel good about them winning the Cup, then we've become much too cynical to be sports fans.

Add in Panarin, Dano, Tikhonov, Daley, Anisimov - with or without Kane it's going to be an interesting and fun winter watching the defending champs try to put it together again.
- StLBravesFan

Also attending the banner raising ceremony: Kevin Hayes from the NY Rangers. Wrong choice of teams Kev!

There is a lot more to the addiction issue than most people think. Have you heard about this latest research? The conclusions include 1) that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is human connection, and 2) it is not the rat who is to blame, it is the cage!

It's interesting to consider Patrick Kane's situation - what we know of it, anyway - from this perspective; especially what help he might need.

http://www.huffingtonpost...of-addicti_b_6506936.html
- matt_ahrens

Really interesting, also dovetails with recent research into near death/heaven and hell experiences. But that is way off topic.

So just a question do you think the oilers said that in 88 after possibly the greatest hockey player to play the game was traded? hmmm didn't they win a cup not but 2 years later, with some of the pieces recieved in the trade. So if a dynasty like edmonton can trade its best player and still win why can't the hawks?
- SaskHawkFan

Different times. Too much parity in the Western conference right now with several elite contenders.

No, I am not
- John Jaeckel

Al Secord?? Ill be damned

And your first paragraph is what I disagree with: lots of Hawk champions will be on the ice who had nothing to do with the Kane incident - I'll feel good about them.
- StLBravesFan

No doubt about that.... If it wasn't for the Kane debocile some would still be whining about Stan not making any moves and wrecking people's summer!

Cab driver, Madison, latest incident (3 times—publicized at least—involving alcohol). After Madison, he promised he would change his ways.
- John Jaeckel

But Madison was a joke, that was just caught drunk with a cellphone!

Kane for Kopitar...get it done Stan!

@NHLonNBCSports: Kings, Kopitar ‘not even in the ballpark’ on new contract http://t.co/WkUvseNsAO


- DarthKane

LOL! I saw this article earlier today and I'm sure to the dismay of some, it crossed my mind.

Cab driver, Madison, latest incident (3 times—publicized at least—involving alcohol). After Madison, he promised he would change his ways.
- John Jaeckel

Don't forget shirtless in Vancouver - perhaps innocent, but probably not what the FO would be happy with.

True, alcohol just tends to cause pronounced metabolic changes and makes people do really stupid things
- John Jaeckel

Alcohol is also one of the hardest substances for an addict to quit from a physical perspective.

The missing piece in your analysis is the salary cap. What if Kane had a $30m cap hit, would you agree then that the team might be better with a few more good players than one superstar? It isn't just the players or draft picks that come back for Kane, it's the strength of the roster top to bottom with and without him.
- matt_ahrens

What also is missing in the trade Kane scenario is this will mean more reconstruction to the best team in the NHL. Kane won't be traded for a Getzlaf-Malkin or similar so unless it is a puke that could mean maybe 3 roster players coming back. There is a limited amount of roster spots and to take back $8 mill in salary or so isn't easy to do at this point. Yes another player could be included but it is highly unlikely to happen before the season begins.

This management groups isn't impulsive...Kane may go at some point but when it happens it won't because of an impulse but rather as part of a plan.

Al Secord?? Ill be damned
- Hawkeyes1

WATCH IT, be careful what you say , there are plenty on these boards that know Al personally to this very day. No it is not him. That guy is/was a work out machine and treats life with respect. Not saying he didn't like to have his fun as a young single guy when he played here but ran quiet and treated everybody with respect. He was my in laws neighbor while living in Elmhurst. My mother in law still on occasion will talk with him. The Black Hawks to this day have never replaced him as the player who played it honest out there let alone the high end quality person he is. Still waters run deep with that guy my friend , unlike this little punk arse biotch(not taking away his hockey skills at all), that some are in a tizzy because the Hawks might have just had enough of his act and want to send him packing. I say let it play out. Problem with Kane why his behavior is the way it is , probably early on when he walked into 1 of these bars in Roscoe Village or where ever, half lit up screaming"you want some of this!", some quiet guy (like Al) should have got off his bar stool and beat the livin dog snot out of this little shlit, that my friend probably would have been a wake up call for Kane along with a dose of public embarrassment. Sorry for the rant boys,but I can't believe the outcry from some , come off the ledge, The Hawks will do what they will feel is right, if he stays Ok, if not they will do just fine, This management team is 1 of the best in the league , they will prevail. Let it play out boys!

WATCH IT, be careful what you say , there are plenty on these boards that know Al personally to this very day. No it is not him. That guy is/was a work out machine and treats life with respect. Not saying he didn't like to have his fun as a young single guy when he played here but ran quiet and treated everybody with respect. He was my in laws neighbor while living in Elmhurst. My mother in law still on occasion will talk with him. The Black Hawks to this day have never replaced him as the player who played it honest out there let alone the high end quality person he is. Still waters run deep with that guy my friend , unlike this little punk arse biotch(not taking away his hockey skills at all), that some are in a tizzy because the Hawks might have just had enough of his act and want to send him packing. I say let it play out. Problem with Kane why his behavior is the way it is , probably early on when he walked into 1 of these bars in Roscoe Village or where ever, half lit up screaming"you want some of this!", some quiet guy (like Al) should have got off his bar stool and beat the livin dog snot out of this little shlit, that my friend probably would have been a wake up call for Kane along with a dose of public embarrassment. Sorry for the rant boys,but I can't believe the outcry from some , come off the ledge, The Hawks will do what they will feel is right, if he stays Ok, if not they will do just fine, This management team is 1 of the best in the league , they will prevail. Let it play out boys!
- wonthecup10

U are correct the Hawks have never replaced Secord. Pound for pound the strongest Hawk I have seen play. Saw him grab Jerry Korab by the elbows and pick him straight up off the ice. Very tough tough dude with great hands.

http://sportsmockery.com/...ys-patrick-kane-is-fcked/

It's getting kind of funny...

WATCH IT, be careful what you say , there are plenty on these boards that know Al personally to this very day. No it is not him. That guy is/was a work out machine and treats life with respect. Not saying he didn't like to have his fun as a young single guy when he played here but ran quiet and treated everybody with respect. He was my in laws neighbor while living in Elmhurst. My mother in law still on occasion will talk with him. The Black Hawks to this day have never replaced him as the player who played it honest out there let alone the high end quality person he is. Still waters run deep with that guy my friend , unlike this little punk arse biotch(not taking away his hockey skills at all), that some are in a tizzy because the Hawks might have just had enough of his act and want to send him packing. I say let it play out. Problem with Kane why his behavior is the way it is , probably early on when he walked into 1 of these bars in Roscoe Village or where ever, half lit up screaming"you want some of this!", some quiet guy (like Al) should have got off his bar stool and beat the livin dog snot out of this little shlit, that my friend probably would have been a wake up call for Kane along with a dose of public embarrassment. Sorry for the rant boys,but I can't believe the outcry from some , come off the ledge, The Hawks will do what they will feel is right, if he stays Ok, if not they will do just fine, This management team is 1 of the best in the league , they will prevail. Let it play out boys!
- wonthecup10

That is why I never mentioned him by name. I was only speculating on JJ's comment.

I remember a game vs. the North Stars where tough guy Willie Plett was giving some Blackhawk player the business right at the faceoff, and Al just gave him 1 right to the jaw. That shut Willie up darn fast. I miss Al.

That is why I never mentioned him by name. I was only speculating on JJ's comment.

I remember a game vs. the North Stars where tough guy Willie Plett was giving some Blackhawk player the business right at the faceoff, and Al just gave him 1 right to the jaw. That shut Willie up darn fast. I miss Al.
- powerenforcer

So do I as a player and a person. Glad he is very successful in his post hockey career. It is a pleasure to talk to him when ever 1 gets the chance, today's athlete ( minus our CAPTIAN, who also exemplifies a lot of what Al brings to the table in everyday life) should follow his example.the man is built around respect.
I won't be 1 to shed a tear if 88 is dealt, he did it to himself. Just like joe shmo that blames his boss for firing him, "no he didn't fire you ,you fired yourself by your actions. It's a log sheet of things with Kane, this was the tip of the iceberg and he was brazen enough to tell the world on stage what he was going to do in some form. Kudo's to John McDonough for setting the bar at what a 1st class organization should be on and off the ice! There are no 2 sets of rules in this organization. If Kane turns it around here, Kudo's to him also, if not , oh well,

The missing piece in your analysis is the salary cap. What if Kane had a $30m cap hit, would you agree then that the team might be better with a few more good players than one superstar? It isn't just the players or draft picks that come back for Kane, it's the strength of the roster top to bottom with and without him.
- matt_ahrens

This is terrible logic. I'll counter this argument with Kane making $30M and Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook all making league minimum. Net savings.

Players are paid commensurate with their value. There are mistakes, yes, but generally the salary a player is paid equates with his value to the team. No player would ever be paid $30 million (in this cap) because no player is ever going to play half the game and score half his team's goals. Therefore your argument is moot.

This is terrible logic. I'll counter this argument with Kane making $30M and Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook all making league minimum. Net savings.

Players are paid commensurate with their value. There are mistakes, yes, but generally the salary a player is paid equates with his value to the team. No player would ever be paid $30 million (in this cap) because no player is ever going to play half the game and score half his team's goals. Therefore your argument is moot.
- Sandus

Actually, that is my point. We can agree Kane isn't worth $30m and we can even agree he IS worth $10.5m. The question is how does a team distribute its salary across all players in the cap era to win a Stanley Cup Championship. I think the Blackhawks FO thought the cap would increase more over the next few years than it now looks like it will. They get good value out of young guys but there needs to be a mix of talent to get solid depth. The original poster I replied to said Kane leaving would be better if Saad, Sharp, etc were still on the team. Well, to get and keep that kind of talent you need cap room. This current team is less experienced because of Kane's contract. It might be better to have 2 or 3 experienced and really good players than a second superstar under a tight cap

Actually, that is my point. We can agree Kane isn't worth $30m and we can even agree he IS worth $10.5m. The question is how does a team distribute its salary across all players in the cap era to win a Stanley Cup Championship. I think the Blackhawks FO thought the cap would increase more over the next few years than it now looks like it will. They get good value out of young guys but there needs to be a mix of talent to get solid depth. The original poster I replied to said Kane leaving would be better if Saad, Sharp, etc were still on the team. Well, to get and keep that kind of talent you need cap room. This current team is less experienced because of Kane's contract. It might be better to have 2 or 3 experienced and really good players than a second superstar under a tight cap
- matt_ahrens

But that's not what he was saying. He said that trading Kane for cap space makes no sense given the current state of the team. The fact is, Patrick Kane is a better player than any combination of non-ELC non-franchise players with equivalent cap hit.

Actually, that is my point. We can agree Kane isn't worth $30m and we can even agree he IS worth $10.5m. The question is how does a team distribute its salary across all players in the cap era to win a Stanley Cup Championship. I think the Blackhawks FO thought the cap would increase more over the next few years than it now looks like it will. They get good value out of young guys but there needs to be a mix of talent to get solid depth. The original poster I replied to said Kane leaving would be better if Saad, Sharp, etc were still on the team. Well, to get and keep that kind of talent you need cap room. This current team is less experienced because of Kane's contract. It might be better to have 2 or 3 experienced and really good players than a second superstar under a tight cap
- matt_ahrens

Matt... If signs of recent success are any indication distributing cap space amongst many players is not the winning formula. Vg teams seem to be top heavy and then pay 3rd and 4th liners a smaller % of the cap.

There needs to be young players who play above their pay grade as well. Can't keep everyone but once the core is identified they stay put for awhile.

My guess. Sabres, Leafs, Canadiens, Rangers...not sure about 5th but Flyers always seem to be itching to trade half their team
- DDM-Coga[/quot

Think a big splash with a new arena - really good winger (pending UFA) and a young/solid (RFA) currently on the books. Watch out for the Isle.

Kane & Rundblad for Yakupov, Sekera a 1st and 2nd

http://sportsmockery.com/2015/09/mark-giangrecos-buffalo-source-says-patrick-kane-is-fcked/

It's getting kind of funny...
- Chicago_Sean

Not a big fan of Giangreco...if you'll recall he was the guy that was laying into Walter Payton about his 'weight loss' on TV and then Payton called a presser and revealed he was gravely ill.

Matt... If signs of recent success are any indication distributing cap space amongst many players is not the winning formula. Vg teams seem to be top heavy and then pay 3rd and 4th liners a smaller % of the cap.

There needs to be young players who play above their pay grade as well. Can't keep everyone but once the core is identified they stay put for awhile.
- Al

That's basically been the Blackhawks formula, and it worked well before these big raises to Toews and Kane, which would have been fine if the cap kept rising as expected. Now their contracts make up about 30% of the cap where it seems like 25% for the top two might be a better formula. I was trying to find a website with historical numbers but I couldn't find one. Pittsburg with Malkin and Crosby are $18.2 together - that's about 25% now, higher the past few years and Pittsburg has fallen short.

I think the Blackhawks are a bit top heavy and that'll impact how much can be paid to 2 through 12 on the roster. A slight downgrade on the 2nd line RW might could mean upgrading 2nd line center and moving Anisimov to 3rd line (another upgrade) and then maybe getting another defenseman to upgrade the 3 pair. Oh, signing Kruger too. That seems more competitive to me than keeping Kane with a weaker supporting cast.

Down the road a couple of years, it means more cap room to sign the current ELC guys to bridge deals who can then get paid core dollars when the current core starts hanging them up in five years or so.

If I'm Stan Bowman the only thing holding me back is the 16-17 season. That's the only year of the next four in which I'm wondering if the team is better with Kane than without. There will be a lot of roster stability from this season to next. If the new guys progress as is hoped, that could be another cup year. On the other hand, you bring in a couple solid guys as described above, it would still be a cup contender.

That's basically been the Blackhawks fa, and it worked well before these big raises to Toews and Kane, which would have been fine if the cap kept rising as expected. Now their contracts make up about 30% of the cap where it seems like 25% for the top two might be a better formula. I was trying to findte with historical numbers but I couldn't find one. Pittsburg with Malkin and Crosby are $18.2 together - that's about 25% now, higher the past few years and Pittsburg has fallen short.

I think the Blackhawks are a bit top heavy and that'll impact how much can be paid to 2 through 12 on the roster. A slight downgrade on the 2nd line RW might could mean upgrading 2nd line center and moving Anisimov to 3rd line (another upgrade) and then maybe getting another defenseman to upgrade the 3 pair. Oh, signing Kruger too. That seems more competitive to me than keeping Kane with a weaker supporting cast.

Down the road a couple of years, it means more cap room to sign the current ELC guys to bridge deals who can then get paid core dollars when the current core starts hanging them up in five years or so.

If I'm Stan Bowman the only thing holding me back is the 16-17 season. That's the only year of the next four in which I'm wondering if the team is better with Kane than without. There will be a lot of roster stability from this season to next. If the new guys progress as is hoped, that could be another cup year. On the other hand, you bring in a couple solid guys as described above, it would still be a cup contender.
- matt_ahrens

when the Blackhawks signed their two top players to such a lucrative deals I had the same concern that you outlined using Pittsburgh as an example. do I like Patrick Kane as a player? Without a doubt. do I see a significant loss in talent if he were to be traded? Definitely. however, one player does not make a championship team. when they used essentially for defenseman for the majority of the playoffs, that is not sustainable for an entire regular season plus playoffs. in my opinion the Hawks will have growing pains if they do trade Patrick Kane for probably one or two seasons. having said that long-term cap flexibility to keep multiple players such as Dano and Seabrook and Kruger helps maintain depth otherwise this team will turn into Toews, Kane, Crawford, Keith, Hossa, in Chicago will not be able to afford future stars on new contracts. Once players like TT, panarin, Dano, etc need new deals the Hawks will have to trade them off 4 players just entering entry-level contracts. I think a lot of people here have made good points that have Patrick Kane is becoming a distraction in the locker room and for the organization with office occurrences, this is not what Chicago seems to want to portray and they will get rid of him. as far as the cap goes look at Pittsburgh how they seem to be on part 2 challenge for many cups. looking at how much of their cap room is tied up into three players they cannot facilitate filling up their roster with quality depth. that is a fate I hope to not see in Chicago moving forward with quality dats. That is update I hope to not see in chicago moving forward

Not a big fan of Giangreco...if you'll recall he was the guy that was laying into Walter Payton about his 'weight loss' on TV and then Payton called a presser and revealed he was gravely ill.
- DK002

I do recall it being non malicious ball busting and no one busted balls more than Payton.
Giangreco also stuck up for Walters dad when he was put in jail for dui, and then it turned out to be only something that was making him dizzy. I'd rather watch Giangreco than any other sports anchor in town.