I don't buy it for a second that they are wanting to keep Kane after this latest episode. I do belive though that they will take the necessary stepts to ensure the can get Maximum return for when they trade him.

Why make a statement saying the organization does not want to "punish his actions" if he didn't do anything? Simply using the word "actions" means he did something in this situation, otherwise this would be entirely a non-issue. The question is, if the accusations are false, or at least partly false, what did he do that is taking this long to come to an official judgement?

I try not to make assumptions without knowing all the facts; but I can't help feeling that if Kane is given any punishment, and the controversy is suddenly silenced, it means the league is okay with Kane paying off his wrongdoings.

Yeah, exactly. I like the one step at a time approach the Blackhawks seem to be taking based on this blog. I just feel like Kane really needs to make a big change. It would almost be easier if he 1) had a problem, 2) admitted the problem, and 3) went into rehab to resolve the problem than if he doesn't have a drinking problem at all because what would he need to do to get back into the good graces of the club again?
- matt_ahrens

Here's another thing - trading Kane would help gain assets plus cap space to resign Seabrook. I think losing Seabrook would hurt more than Kane given you'd still get a really good return for Kane. Toews Keith and Seabrook are incredible players, leaders and while Kane is an elite dynamic player, I'd rank him behind those three as a key member of the hawks. All of this would assume that he's not charged or suspended, but when was the last time a top forward was available with so much gas left in the tank? You might not get equal value, but it could well retool your team without taking a step back and solving the cap issues. I think you guys made out very well for saad and this could end up being a good thing long term to move him.

Here's another thing - trading Kane would help gain assets plus cap space to resign Seabrook. I think losing Seabrook would hurt more than Kane given you'd still get a really good return for Kane. Toews Keith and Seabrook are incredible players, leaders and while Kane is an elite dynamic player, I'd rank him behind those three as a key member of the hawks. All of this would assume that he's not charged or suspended, but when was the last time a top forward was available with so much gas left in the tank? You might not get equal value, but it could well retool your team without taking a step back and solving the cap issues. I think you guys made out very well for saad and this could end up being a good thing long term to move him.
- Isles_since_6

My crystal ball shows me that Kane and Seabrook will be playing for the Blackhawks for the next few years, they ain't breaking up the band yet

What help does he need?
- Ogilthorpe2

He just needs to grow up. I don't think it's as much a drinking problem as much as a maturity problem. Running around like an adult adolescent frat boy at 2 am is cool for buffalo bar dwelling idiots, but not so much for multi million dollar professional athletes.

Here's another thing - trading Kane would help gain assets plus cap space to resign Seabrook. I think losing Seabrook would hurt more than Kane given you'd still get a really good return for Kane. Toews Keith and Seabrook are incredible players, leaders and while Kane is an elite dynamic player, I'd rank him behind those three as a key member of the hawks. All of this would assume that he's not charged or suspended, but when was the last time a top forward was available with so much gas left in the tank? You might not get equal value, but it could well retool your team without taking a step back and solving the cap issues. I think you guys made out very well for saad and this could end up being a good thing long term to move him.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah, that's the "should" the Blackhawks trade him debate.

I was happy when they signed Kane and Toews but it puts a lot of pressure on the salary cap. This season is tight again. Supposedly Bickell or Versteeg get traded soon and Kruger gets signed and they are just under the cap. Next year the roster looks very similar if Seabrook resigns but there are potential player bonuses earned this coming season that could cut into the cap space for next season so someone else might need to go next offseason. It's the 17-18 season that looks really tight from a cap perspective; especially if it doesn't increase by much before then. All of these young guys on entry level contracts will be looking for bridge deals. There isn't money for that unless one or two of the core gets traded.

So, yeah, even though I don't know any more than anyone else about what is going to happen with Kane's situation, I can understand the case for trading him. Two players taking up almost 30% of the cap room makes for a lot of guys on the roster making close to the minimum, it's hard to win with that. Add the uncertainty around his conduct and it's easier to make the "trade him" case.

I think you don't get rid of him until you know what you might be getting with Dano and Parinan. If these kids can show enough game this year they could do something next summer with Kane. Get his stock back where it should be, and solve many different issues with one big move!

Have you heard about the bird?
- Ogilthorpe2

The bird is the word.

Papa ooh mow mow....

Focus group work must have been done

If Kane is not charged, it has been determined by the FO that it is in the organization's best interest to rehabilitate and retain him. No matter the past, hard to believe this matter has not awakened Kane to the need for change.

Accept, amend, execute. Binge behavior may not be alcoholism in its classic sense, but the twelve steps offer a path. It will be up to 88 to follow it.

Steeger is the cap space deal for Kruger. Bickell is not tradeable, and he does not want to go.

No better way to see what Dano, Panarin, Tikhonov, Anisimov, TT and the other rooks can do.

Hopefully we can talk hockey again soon.

No, I don't think it has really changed.

I still think a condition of Kane staying is that he makes a serious commitment to behavioral change. I have said that all along. But I think that's what the team would like to see happen for reasons that have already been stated.
- John Jaeckel

Probably just me reading into things. I guess I had gotten to a point where I thought his sticking around had probably at best 30% chance. Now I'm thinking those numbers have flipped and its now 70% he stays.

Don't know if I was accurate in my thinking, just kind of how I was reading it. Guess we'll find out soon.

I don't buy it for a second that they are wanting to keep Kane after this latest episode. I do belive though that they will take the necessary stepts to ensure the can get Maximum return for when they trade him.
- SaskHawkFan

That's funny, because I don't believe for a second that they would actually trade him if and when he's exonerated.

That's funny, because I don't believe for a second that they would actually trade him if and when he's exonerated.
- Ogilthorpe2

As upset with Kane as the FO might be they probably don't want to trade him without getting value in return. I think he's on the team provided he's not charged. After this year I'm not so sure.

Great Day Chicago! Biggest bunch of Beauties ever!

My point was, we still have little to no idea what actually happened, and under what circumstances. Plus, like I've said before, a person who is a bad (stupid) drunk, is not necessarily an alcoholic.
- Ogilthorpe2

FWIW, they typically are by clinical definition.

I don't buy it for a second that they are wanting to keep Kane after this latest episode. I do belive though that they will take the necessary stepts to ensure the can get Maximum return for when they trade him.
- SaskHawkFan

FWIW, this is what I think. Or, let me say, if he CAN make some fundamental changes, then why not keep him? If they push him in that direction, literally or figuratively, publicly or privately, and they still eventually deal him, they will get more value the more days that peel off the calendar where he at least appears to be on good behavior.

Great Day Chicago! Biggest bunch of Beauties ever!





- Ogilthorpe2

morning ogi!
what better way to start the day than with a positive note

FWIW, they typically are by clinical definition.
- John Jaeckel

If that's true, then 50% of all bar going Chicagoans are clinically defined as alcoholics on any given Saturday Night.

morning ogi!
what better way to start the day than with a positive note
- Confederate

Looking at the negative side is better. I get to feel miserable all day and I get to try to make other people feel miserable. What could be a better, more positive and uplifting experience than that?

morning ogi!
what better way to start the day than with a positive note
- Confederate

That's what I do.

All the negative energy...just makes me stronger, man.

Looking at the negative side is better. I get to feel miserable all day and I get to try to make other people feel miserable. What could be a better, more positive and uplifting experience than that?
- paulr

C'mon Paulie...turn that frown upside down amigo. It's September 1! Don't you smell it? There's hockey in the air!

FWIW, this is what I think. Or, let me say, if he CAN make some fundamental changes, then why not keep him? If they push him in that direction, literally or figuratively, publicly or privately, and they still eventually deal him, they will get more value the more days that peel off the calendar where he at least appears to be on good behavior.
- John Jaeckel

Do you think they have come to any conclusions about what actually happened at his house or how this will play out legally?

FWIW, this is what I think. Or, let me say, if he CAN make some fundamental changes, then why not keep him? If they push him in that direction, literally or figuratively, publicly or privately, and they still eventually deal him, they will get more value the more days that peel off the calendar where he at least appears to be on good behavior.
- John Jaeckel

Just wondering, his worth in trade had to have taken a hit after this incident.
If they try to get him on the proper path, and then he does something stupid again, wouldn't that plummet his stock even more in moving him?
That's a gamble that could affect the organization even more moving forward.

Just wondering, his worth in trade had to have taken a hit after this incident.
If they try to get him on the proper path, and then he does something stupid again, wouldn't that plummet his stock even more in moving him?
That's a gamble that could affect the organization even more moving forward.
- puckhead17

There is a GM out there who would LOVE to have Kane (warts and all). Everyone please wake up. How many times have we done a "That guys was signed for that much?" or "He was traded for who?".

FWIW, they typically are by clinical definition.
- John Jaeckel

No, not really. It's the issue of being a bad drunk, having negative consequences result from the drinking, and continuing to drink anyway.

Maybe it"s just me but this seems to be a 100% about face compared to what we have been hearing. My question is why, what changed?
- walleyeb1

I think because this is what you say in public. Or it's what you leak out to frame the discussion the way you want it. On something like this, I don't think you ever let your actual sentiments within the organization be known. It's the politics of being a public interest.