You're still missing the point. Trading Kane is not a "slight downgrade" at 2nd line RW. It is a MASSIVE downgrade at RW and a significant hit to your PP and forces you to replace a Top 3 winger with an overpaid free agent or a depth player who was already in your system. Is 30% of the cap for two players high? Probably a little. But remember that the expectation was for the cap to rise last year, which would've put this year's cap somewhere around 77 million and next year's around 80, which would make them 25%.
- Sandus

Right and now that it has not happened and very well may not for a couple of years the FO may need to adapt and rethink their strategy moving forward.

You don't do anything with Kane until you know what you have with Dano and Paranin... Once they have an understanding about what these 2 bring to the table, maybe at the trade deadline Kane gets moved...maybe! But I wouldn't do anything until next summer at the earliest...

This is true for some, but not all. There are literally some people who have had no control over alcohol from virtually the very first time alcohol touches their lips.
- John Jaeckel

I did not know that... i always thought it was something you were susceptible to becoming (alcoholic) but not guaranteed if you only imbibed in moderation.

i suppose if you are predisposed to alcoholism the prudent approach would be to have no alcohol, so that would be the moderate level for that person....

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.
- matt_ahrens

If Kane wasn't who it appears he is there would be no discussion about dealing him or Toews. They are the two best players on the team and that's the price to pay...ie being top heavy.

If you go back to Malkin/Crosby or Getzlaf/Perry which are the only real comparables
the % isn't too far off as to when they signed new deals....And Kane/Toews were younger than Getzlaf/Perry when they resigned.

Also, if one were to evaluate by accomplishments the duo of Toews/Kane is the best of any and should be paid the most.

No one can predict the cap and I thought it would be higher by now too...But besides the Canadian dollar sinking the consumer spending in the US in the last 7 years hasn't increased much at all.

All the economics aside the very best players who are elite and HOF status are difficult to come by. The key is to have a supply of modestly paid players who perform above their pay grade. That has been why the Hawks stayed so successful and finding players like Shaw/Kruger and Saad were vitally important....Also being able to sign Hammer at a bargain basement price.

If I'm the GM I take the best and pay them and fill in around. When the money runs out it is the 3rd/4th liners and roll players who get a pay cut first.

Agree.
Giangreco was also one of the few Chicago sports anchors that actually new something about hockey.
- Bustov22

He played at Yale....

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.
- 6628

He apologized for the weight loss stuff and had no clue how sick Peyton was.

The Bruins ran Seguin out of town for missing curfew twice, once when he was out with his parents. With all the stories of Kane's shennanigans does anyone really think the Bruins would take a chance on him? And if there is a remote chance they do make this trade there is no chance they don't lottery protect that draft pick.
- paulr

FWIW different people run that organization now.
- ezekial

The bruins ran him out of town cuz he was partying in Toronto at all hours when the Bruins were in tough that first round series...

They'd talked to him during the season, but the guy wouldn't change his ways... the behaviour in the playoffs was the straw that broke the camel's back...

This is true for some, but not all. There are literally some people who have had no control over alcohol from virtually the very first time alcohol touches their lips.
- John Jaeckel

See: Hamilton, Josh

Not saying the trade would/could happen but how would you feel good about a Hall/RNH for Kane trade? To me that is a return that would seem satisfactory. I think there are scenarios that could yield a good return. I do not know what they are nor care to research it but I believe they are there.

My personal feeling is that this Kane situation is almost a blessing in disguise (not saying it is a blessing if he violated this girl in any way, but whether he did or not what is done is done ). I love Kane. I love how he give us two lethal lines that give opposing team fits. No one, NO ONE is as clutch as him. But two players with 10.5 cap hits is just not good cap management. Said this the day both were signed. Look how mightily the Pens have struggled with Malkin and Crosby. They cannot get anything that resembles a decent supporting cast for them.

Management signed these two banking on the cap going up 1.5-2.5 mil a year. That simply is not going to happen in the foreseeable future and if our window is NOW (and I agree we have about 3-5 years) then maybe trading Kane not out of necessity (ie a good hockey trade not a salary dump) may make sense for the right return. Otherwise say goodbye to Crawford next summer, say goodbye to 1-2 of TT, Dano and AP after that. Say goodbye to getting a solid #5 dman this summer or next.

I am sure many will disagree and that is fine what do I know I'm just a fan but as a fan I see more good coming from a trade than bad. Again a trade the yields a nice return not a salary dump.
- tyweb69

Having a hard time responding on my cell phone - screen is so darn small. If we got a RNH or Dreisatl or Echblad of course I'd be pretty darn happy as I can see immediate contribution at a high level and a clear path in the future.

Hoping you are correct and this is a true blessing in disguise - would be great if the Stanagement (thanks whoever it was who originally coined this phrase) team can make a silk purse out of this sows' ear for sure. I liked the Saad trade once over the shock and able to consider the return. Freely admit that just because I can't see it doesn't mean there isn't a great trade to be made. There are certainly better hockey minds than mine at work on this and as a fan I'm grateful.

If Kane wasn't who it appears he is there would be no discussion about dealing him or Toews. They are the two best players on the team and that's the price to pay...ie being top heavy.

If you go back to Malkin/Crosby or Getzlaf/Perry which are the only real comparables
the % isn't too far off as to when they signed new deals....And Kane/Toews were younger than Getzlaf/Perry when they resigned.

Also, if one were to evaluate by accomplishments the duo of Toews/Kane is the best of any and should be paid the most.

No one can predict the cap and I thought it would be higher by now too...But besides the Canadian dollar sinking the consumer spending in the US in the last 7 years hasn't increased much at all.

All the economics aside the very best players who are elite and HOF status are difficult to come by. The key is to have a supply of modestly paid players who perform above their pay grade. That has been why the Hawks stayed so successful and finding players like Shaw/Kruger and Saad were vitally important....Also being able to sign Hammer at a bargain basement price.

If I'm the GM I take the best and pay them and fill in around. When the money runs out it is the 3rd/4th liners and roll players who get a pay cut first.
- Al

Datsyuk/Zetterberg also a good comp. Notice a theme here? Every one of these "duos" is part of a team that has won or is expected to seriously compete for a cup year after year. Without Kane, Toews is still awesome, but this team is not the same. Nobody fills those shoes.

He apologized for the weight loss stuff and had no clue how sick Peyton was.
- Al

or was sick at all. nobody did.

Article discussing incredibly candid Finnish interview with Anti Raanta wherein he says he was rooting against the Hawks in the playoffs and "pissed off" at how he was treated - claiming Q didn't like him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-treatment-140247584.html

q hates kids in.........3..........2..........1......

q hates kids in.........3..........2..........1......
- Confederate

It's a fact! This is just more proof after Hayes, Pirri, Olsen etc. etc. etc. were treated unfairly by that young player hating coach!!!

Article discussing incredibly candid Finnish interview with Anti Raanta wherein he says he was rooting against the Hawks in the playoffs and "pissed off" at how he was treated - claiming Q didn't like him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-treatment-140247584.html
- Marlowe

"At least Raanta stuck to his guns and didn't, like, party with the Stanley Cup back in Finland after rooting for the Blackhawks to lose in the Nashville Predators in four games, making him a total hypocrite."

so the affable finn narrative and "I support my team and team mates" goes under the bus when the guy leaves town....

not surprised...just ignore all the happy face talk these guys throw during there stay with current teams

q hates kids in.........3..........2..........1......
- Confederate

Of course he does he totally ran Saad out of town!!

Article discussing incredibly candid Finnish interview with Anti Raanta wherein he says he was rooting against the Hawks in the playoffs and "pissed off" at how he was treated - claiming Q didn't like him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-treatment-140247584.html
- Marlowe

“I noticed that coach didn't like me, in that position it is pretty difficult to fight the windmills,” Raanta said

Do you think that's a Don Quxiote reference or a Finnish thing.

Article discussing incredibly candid Finnish interview with Anti Raanta wherein he says he was rooting against the Hawks in the playoffs and "pissed off" at how he was treated - claiming Q didn't like him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-treatment-140247584.html
- Marlowe

Seems like the Hawks kept the right guy. I had a chance to meet Darling - he's a great person. He also does a lot for the goaltending community in the US. Just a week or so after the finals, he helped run a week long goaltending clinic for young up and comers and old out of shape beer leaguers like myself.

You guys will have a solid tandem for the next couple of years. While I'm a big Crawford fan, you just may have a goaltender controversy of your own sooner rather than later.

q hates kids in...........3............2.............1
- Confererate

It's a fact! This is just more proof after Hayes, Pirri, Olsen etc. etc. etc. were treated unfairly by that young player hating coach!!!
- paulr

Knew that was coming! Thanks guys and/or gals for not disappointing!!

Datsyuk/Zetterberg also a good comp. Notice a theme here? Every one of these "duos" is part of a team that has won or is expected to seriously compete for a cup year after year. Without Kane, Toews is still awesome, but this team is not the same. Nobody fills those shoes.
- Sandus

In importance to the team yes a good comp...Age matters and when they signed their last extension.

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

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

Unfortunately, I heard the same this AM from a league-affiliated medical source. Not good.

“I noticed that coach didn't like me, in that position it is pretty difficult to fight the windmills,” Raanta said

Do you think that's a Don Quxiote reference or a Finnish thing.
- Dieselhead

must be finnish since it supposed to be "tilting at windmills".....fighting "imaginary" enemies

good riddance

Article discussing incredibly candid Finnish interview with Anti Raanta wherein he says he was rooting against the Hawks in the playoffs and "pissed off" at how he was treated - claiming Q didn't like him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-treatment-140247584.html
- Marlowe

That will be a comment he will regret...In this country hockey is all about the "team" and anyone viewed as having a different concept is looked down upon.

“I noticed that coach didn't like me, in that position it is pretty difficult to fight the windmills,” Raanta said

Do you think that's a Don Quxiote reference or a Finnish thing.
- Dieselhead

Totally a Quijote reference! (Biased here as I am a Spanish Lit major). But maybe also a Finnish thing - tango is really big there as well!! (I know this from going to Sr Tango in Buenos Aires with a Finnish co-worker)

The bruins ran him out of town cuz he was partying in Toronto at all hours when the Bruins were in tough that first round series...

They'd talked to him during the season, but the guy wouldn't change his ways... the behaviour in the playoffs was the straw that broke the camel's back...
- kaptaan

As a general rule, management doesn't like it when you show up to the rink 3 days in a row wearing the same suit.

Another general rule: management doesn't like it when they have to hire a security guard to sit outside your hotel room all night, to make sure you don't go out after curfew.