Yeah, my comment wasn't an endorsement by any means. Thinking that they are still (probably?) getting a lot of plea agreements too - though maybe not as many as they would if defense attorneys know they don't like to go to trial without a slam dunk.
- Marlowe

We always understood plea agreements to be counted as 1 for 1 in the conviction rate calculation

"allegations he vehemently denies" Really I missed that, when did Kane come out and say that?
- walleyeb1

Yup, I'm going out on a huge limb here: my insider confidential sources confirm, Patrick Kane denies that he raped anyone.

If the Hawks are truly behind Kane, they'll be patient - no suspension, no trade, no ultimatum that he get treatment unless he TRULY feels he needs it. In short, give him the chance to defeat these allegations, like the Lakers did with Kobe. When Kobe's lawyers discovered and leaked that the accuser was a suicidal schizophrenic with another recent boyfriend, she stopped cooperating and the charges were dropped. Most of his endorsements came back. Indeed Kobe suffered worse punishment from the League/team for elbowing Ginobli in the face (1 game susp) than he ever got from the rape arrest. Who knows what exculpatory evidence Kane might uncover once his legal team gets to work.

But no, the Hawks are being FORCED to suspend him, forced to withhold his pay, forced to lobby for a pre-arrest plea deall... to float social media legal conclusions that he's F'd if he goes to court? And what's forcing all this? Stan really really REALLY needs to solve cap issues in the next few weeks (which are the SAME issues he's been dithering with since well before Kane's situation ever arose)! I'm sorry, but even Milton eventually tells Lumbergh he's going to burn the office down when pushed far enough. "Oh yeah, Patrick, I'm going to need you to go ahead and write this accuser a 6 figure check by this weekend, and then waive your nmc... K?"

I think you are going a little overboard.

Kane is not such a big deal that the NHL is going to suffer if he isn't playing and in limbo waiting on a criminal investigation.

I bet the Blues don't mind waiting. Or anyone in the Central. Most likely anyone in the West.

There are plenty of star players that the NHL will promote/etc. And likely will regardless of what happens. At least for a while even if nothing comes of this, the NHL will distance themselves from promoting Kane. Because there is too much risk involved in the near future. Too much if a risk of a backlash from fans who will have made up their minds, right or wrong.
- carcus

I guess maybe I sound a little more hyperbolic than I should. I'm not saying it will or even should happen, just that it would be a nice thing for a lot of people.

Yes, there are other marketable stars, but how many of those are American? Bauer will be delivering their new sticks in just under a month, and guess who is supposed to be the face of the promotional campaign. That's just one scenario. I'm just saying that the ramifications go beyond hockey and there are a lot of people's livelihoods that hinge on what happens with this investigation.

I do think Marlowe and stljam are both right though, and that the legal system should be fair to all, and you'd be excessively punishing others by reallocating resources from other cases and investigations. I guess the rational part of me is saying that I would rather let the weight fall upon fewer people who are already under investigation or on trial than a larger number of uninvolved people just waiting to do their jobs. (Does that technically make me a psychopath? )

I am so sick of the Kane talk and speculation .

Only thing I know with certainty: Kane needs to grow up NOW.

I hope he does and I hope this terrible chapter in Hawk history will end very soon.

Quest for knowledge on hockeybuzz is like ........(fill in the blank)

- looking for a needle in a haystack...
- stljam

-Looking for a date at a family reunion

We always understood plea agreements to be counted as 1 for 1 in the conviction rate calculation
- stljam

Apologies but I can't believe you guys elect DAs and judges.

* waits patiently to get slammed*

Back to hockey:

Who is the Blackhawks' most important player

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...wks-most-important-player

Hall of Fame debate: Marian Hossa

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...-fame-debate-marian-hossa

I guess maybe I sound a little more hyperbolic than I should. I'm not saying it will or even should happen, just that it would be a nice thing for a lot of people.

Yes, there are other marketable stars, but how many of those are American? Bauer will be delivering their new sticks in just under a month, and guess who is supposed to be the face of the promotional campaign. That's just one scenario. I'm just saying that the ramifications go beyond hockey and there are a lot of people's livelihoods that hinge on what happens with this investigation.

I do think Marlowe and stljam are both right though, and that the legal system should be fair to all, and you'd be excessively punishing others by reallocating resources from other cases and investigations. I guess the rational part of me is saying that I would rather let the weight fall upon fewer people who are already under investigation or on trial than a larger number of uninvolved people just waiting to do their jobs. (Does that technically make me a psychopath? )
- Sandus

Yes.

Hall of Fame debate: Marian Hossa

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...-fame-debate-marian-hossa
- walleyeb1

No need to debate Hossa imho. He's earned it.

Apologies but I can't believe you guys elect DAs and judges.

* waits patiently to get slammed*
- Canada Cup

No slam here.

The fact justice can be influenced by the prosecutor's or their boss's political ambitions sucks.

Unfortunately, the unelected bureaucrats in similar positions (Justice, IRS etc...) have become almost as politically motivated. The concept of public service in the US is dead to most outside the military and 1st responders.

No fix in sight.

Would it be fair to Joe Schmoe to delay his trial and make him spend more time in jail (say he can't post bail) while he waits for all the other more important cases to get taken care of? Doing this would trample his first amendment rights.

Sorry but the floor mopper at McDonalds has the same rights as a multi-millionaire.
- stljam

In a perfect world, that would be true, but in the reality of the world we live, not so much.

The "floor mopper's" rights would be trampled on all day long. It happens way too frequently. And while this is happening, he loses his job, and in a lot of cases, his apartment as well, because he can't make bail or afford a bail bondsman.

The rich are bailed out within an hour, and usually never even see a jail cell.

Again I say this, if you are looking for justice, stick to watching it on tv - in the real world, it does not exist.

Would it be fair to Joe Schmoe to delay his trial and make him spend more time in jail (say he can't post bail) while he waits for all the other more important cases to get taken care of? Doing this would trample his first amendment rights.

Sorry but the floor mopper at McDonalds has the same rights as a multi-millionaire.
- stljam

Wouldn't it be the 5th and 14th - due process issues?

Back to hockey:

Who is the Blackhawks' most important player

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...wks-most-important-player
- walleyeb1

What I've been saying. The teams Lidstrom and when he is done (assuming no one to replace) then the Hawks are probably not going to have the same success in the post season IMO.

Yup, I'm going out on a huge limb here: my insider confidential sources confirm, Patrick Kane denies that he raped anyone.

If the Hawks are truly behind Kane, they'll be patient - no suspension, no trade, no ultimatum that he get treatment unless he TRULY feels he needs it. In short, give him the chance to defeat these allegations, like the Lakers did with Kobe. When Kobe's lawyers discovered and leaked that the accuser was a suicidal schizophrenic with another recent boyfriend, she stopped cooperating and the charges were dropped. Most of his endorsements came back. Indeed Kobe suffered worse punishment from the League/team for elbowing Ginobli in the face (1 game susp) than he ever got from the rape arrest. Who knows what exculpatory evidence Kane might uncover once his legal team gets to work.

But no, the Hawks are being FORCED to suspend him, forced to withhold his pay, forced to lobby for a pre-arrest plea deall... to float social media legal conclusions that he's F'd if he goes to court? And what's forcing all this? Stan really really REALLY needs to solve cap issues in the next few weeks (which are the SAME issues he's been dithering with since well before Kane's situation ever arose)! I'm sorry, but even Milton eventually tells Lumbergh he's going to burn the office down when pushed far enough. "Oh yeah, Patrick, I'm going to need you to go ahead and write this accuser a 6 figure check by this weekend, and then waive your nmc... K?"
- meta_puck_luck

More than likely your inside confidential source is not accurate. Mine tells me he did rape the girl, not the one that was all over him, but her friend, and she does not want, at this time a payoff, she wants to see his ass in jail

Wouldn't it be the 5th and 14th - due process issues?
- StLBravesFan

typo at work...trying to do too many things.

I wish that whatever is going to happen would happen already. It seems that no matter which way this could go there is an element of impending doom hanging over us and it's tiring and enough is enough already. I want to move on with my life but I'm stuck until this gets resolved - one way or another.
- EbonyRaptor

That's a little bit too serious don't you think.

Jesus, Interloper - did you not read what I wrote?

No GM is going to trade for a guy who they think may not be able to be in the lineup and contribute to the team.

Your trade proposal is stupid.

No way Chicago trades for Bozak.
- Atomic Wedgie

"allegations he vehemently denies" Really I missed that, when did Kane come out and say that?
- walleyeb1

His lawyer has been steadfast in saying that to that Buffalo newspaper, as he talks for his client! But we will find out when the dust settles!

His lawyer has been steadfast in saying that to that Buffalo newspaper, as he talks for his client! But we will find out when the dust settles!
- moots

What do you expect him to say? My client is guilty, I don't see any way I can possibly defend him against these charges. He's going to be put away for a long time!

So it's come to this. The Hawks tell JJ they WANT to stand behind Kane, but there's 0% chance he starts the season in uniform. They tell Mex they dont want to suspend him on the eve of camp...but they are being FORCED to? For what? All they can prove right now is he went to a night club, had some drinks, and brought back a one-night-stand? Who's casting the first stone on that? The rest are allegations he vehemently denies, and the Hawks can't and shouldn't want to prove in advance of the criminal process. The union will eat that up.
- meta_puck_luck

Kane's actions are being investigated (for over a month now) by the BUF DA's office, a rape kit was employed, and potentially major, life changing charges are hanging over his head. He cannot play hockey in the NHL under those conditions. Even if the Hawks didn't think so, the league office would. Kane won't be part of the team until this matter resolves itself...and you might need to prepare yourself for a long wait because this kind of investigation has a history of taking its time, and if it goes to trial, it will be a long, drawn out experience. What are the Hawks supposed to do until then? If they don't suspend Kane, they can't use his Cap space! And who wants to suspend someone when they haven't been officially charged with anything???

Back to hockey:

Who is the Blackhawks' most important player

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...wks-most-important-player
- walleyeb1

Tazer...and he's the most "important" player to a team in the entire league and I think he's the best player as well.

Hall of Fame debate: Marian Hossa

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...-fame-debate-marian-hossa
- walleyeb1

Zero questions in my mind, Hoss is a sure-thing HOF.

My source is better than your source? That's what we've come to?

Yikes.
- Ogilthorpe2

His dad can also beat up your dad.

On a lighter note...


A Blues fan liked to amuse himself by scaring every Red Wings fan he saw strutting down the street in Wings hockey jersey. He would swerve his van as if to hit them, then swerve back just missing them.

One day while driving along, he saw a priest. He thought he would do a good deed, so he pulled over and asked the priest, "Where are you going, Father?"

"I'm going to give Mass at St. Francis church, about two miles down the road," replied the priest.

"Climb in, Father. I'll give you a lift!" The priest climbed into the passenger seat, and they continued down the road.

Suddenly, the driver saw a Red Wings fan walking down the road, and he instinctively swerved as if to hit him. But, as usual, he swerved back onto the road just in time.

Even though he was certain that he had missed the guy, he still heard a loud THUD. not knowing where the noise came from, he glanced in his mirrors but still didn't see anything. He then remembered the priest, and he turned to the priest and said, "sorry Father, I almost hit that Red Wings fan."

"That's OK," replied the priest "I got him with the door."