Fine, I give up. Trade the scumbag and lets see what happens! The scumbag who has not yet been charged with a criminal offense, mind you. Why? Because THE BRAND! you know the brand that was built off John McD's crafty advertising campaigns and the "One Goal" billboards. Oh wait, THE BRAND was built on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews' shoulders....
- EnzoD

That's not the point. #88 is a once in a lifetime talent but at what point does the headache and the distraction outweigh the production on the ice? EVERY ATHLETE goes through some sort of cost/benefit analysis conducted by their team. I always go back to Lawrence Taylor; drug addict, alcoholic, but could sack the QB. The NY Giants chose to deal with the off field stuff because the on field production outweighed it.

If it gets to the point that ROCKY DECIDES the headaches related to #88 outweigh the production on the ice / in the bank account, he will get moved. It's that simple.

This is a night out in the bar with his boys compared to being cross examined in a rape trial.
- Canada Cup

And he was clearly unprepared and looked caught off guard. No comp to cross examination where he will be prepared and have counsel present.

That said, Kane is obviously not very intelligent. They obviously should have stuck with small words and printed his cheat sheet.

Glad thats over
On a hockey note I think Kane has a breakout season with over a hundred points and is the league scoring leader
Go Hawks

And he was clearly unprepared and looked caught off guard. No comp to cross examination where he will be prepared and have counsel present.

That said, Kane is obviously not very intelligent.
- tredbrta

huh, he looks pretty puck smart to me

Man, the look on Kane's face shows him being scared, embarrassed and ashamed.
I for one think he's a good kid who enjoys his life outside of hockey like anybody does away from work. Probably a bit too much, but it is what it is. He believes he will be exonerated from this, so if nothing happened, nothing happened. Just another night out on the town during his own personal time.

Now for the Hawks contemplating trading him. I dont believe the marketing BS that McCub says, since EVERY league, EVERY team, etc. says the SAME EXACT THING. We hold everyone to High standards, yada yada yada. There are individuals everywhere that have a dark cloud hanging over them in every organization. What skeletons are in his closet???

So why would some team trade FOR HIM if the Hawks dont want him anymore? Is that saying that the other team has a lower standard than the Blackhawks Organization. I just think it's BS. Stan is like his second father, who better knows him than Bowman and who better to have him correct his personal life and be a mentor now? And now Stan may be asked to trade him? That's crap. Why do they employ the great Bobby Hull then? Riddle me that? And WHO asked Bobby to come back?? uhh, yeah it was John McCub. Nobody ever brings that up? A little hypocritical if you ask me.

Time heals all wounds and Kane WILL show his remorse and prove to his teamates, his family and the Blackhawks Organization that he is not that type of guy. I'm glad Kane had the balls to sit by the douche reporters, whether or not he was forced to by management, but he did what he had to do. I commend him! Nobody has the balls to ask puppetmaster McD that sort of thing.

Go Hawks!
- stan-ley-cups

You got that right!!

Kobe Bryant was held accountable to the high standards of the lakers....wasn't he. And Rothlesberger was held to a the high steeler standard to the tune of 87 million extention. Oh and the great Mike Ribiero was certainly a victim of those high predetor standards.....

And he was clearly unprepared and looked caught off guard. No comp to cross examination where he will be prepared and have counsel present.

That said, Kane is obviously not very intelligent. They obviously should have stuck with small words and printed his cheat sheet.
- tredbrta

Have to wonder if this 'speaking opportunity' was sprung on him almost last minute to make him feel even more uncomfortable...last minute stuff for public events can definitely make an uncomfortable situation worse. More so, given the circumstances

Why? Because he didn't say "this is about the jackass we just signed to an $84 million deal"?

Caveat emptor. You're going to believe what you want.
- John Jaeckel

No because he used the word INDUSTRY as in everyone in the NHL is forced by the cap to evolve. And then spoke about the loss of 6 players from last years team and the opportunity for new players ... Oh well keep reading those smoke signals anyway you want ..

"I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused my family, teammates, this incredible organization and, of course, our fans," said Kane, flanked by team officials including team president and CEO John McDonough. "While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident once all the facts are brought to light I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong."

Why would you want to be absolved of having done nothing wrong?
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought it was worded bizarrely. Should have been: 'I will be absolved of any wrongdoing.'

I'm out for today.

PM me if you have questions/ comments. Thx
- John Jaeckel

Ya gots ta have a thicker skin, JJ. Comes with the territory. There's a group of hawks fans that read/contribute to this blog that are only interested in pure hockey...on the ice, goals scored, fun plays to watch. To them, Kane will always be innocent, and even if guilty, capable of producing highlight reel goals. For that portion of the fan base and readership, you're not going to convince them of the bigger picture. Kane is a god and god's dont do anything wrong. Give up on winning them over.

And you do have an agenda....it is your blog...you care about the quality, you care about the discourse, I assume you profit from it's popularity. Own it. You're not going to be able to win over 100%. Settle for the 90% here who are great fans and create a great blog environment.

You got that right!!

Kobe Bryant was held accountable to the high standards of the lakers....wasn't he. And Rothlesberger was held to a the high steeler standard to the tune of 87 million extention. Oh and the great Mike Ribiero was certainly a victim of those high predetor standards.....
- bogiedoc

Dont forget about the Bad News Bears picking up the smoking troublemaker Kelly Leak and allowing him to play ball!

That's not the point. #88 is a once in a lifetime talent but at what point does the headache and the distraction outweigh the production on the ice? EVERY ATHLETE goes through some sort of cost/benefit analysis conducted by their team. I always go back to Lawrence Taylor; drug addict, alcoholic, but could sack the QB. The NY Giants chose to deal with the off field stuff because the on field production outweighed it.

If it gets to the point that ROCKY DECIDES the headaches related to #88 outweigh the production on the ice / in the bank account, he will get moved. It's that simple.
- DMCsPulledHammy

Enzo and Simple Jack, have you ever had the hottest girlfriend ever who never stops female doging. At some point there's a line that gets crossed and then she's gotta go. It doesn't matter how good Kane is, did he cross the line? If he did, then he's gonna go. The only difference between Rocky and his dad is that Rocky will try to have the patience to get the best return. Ask JR, Belfour, and Chelios. Cross a line with the old man and you're gone right now. Not saying it's right, not saying I agree. Just saying, that's how it is.

Ya gots ta have a thicker skin, JJ. Comes with the territory. There's a group of hawks fans that read/contribute to this blog that are only interested in pure hockey...on the ice, goals scored, fun plays to watch. To them, Kane will always be innocent, and even if guilty, capable of producing highlight reel goals. For that portion of the fan base and readership, you're not going to convince them of the bigger picture. Kane is a god and god's dont do anything wrong. Give up on winning them over.

And you do have an agenda....it is your blog...you care about the quality, you care about the discourse, I assume you profit from it's popularity. Own it. You're not going to be able to win over 100%. Settle for the 90% here who are great fans and create a great blog environment.
- Cmonalready

This is a great blog environment. So you want him and others cater to the couple jackasses to appease them ? Child please!!!

Enzo and Simple Jack, have you ever had the hottest girlfriend ever who never stops female doging. At some point there's a line that gets crossed and then she's gotta go. It doesn't matter how good Kane is, did he cross the line? If he did, then he's gonna go. The only difference between Rocky and his dad is that Rocky will try to have the patience to get the best return. Ask JR, Belfour, and Chelios. Cross a line with the old man and you're gone right now. Not saying it's right, not saying I agree. Just saying, that's how it is.
- 6628

Great analogy 6628. I don't want to see Kane traded if he's cleared of all charges, but I won't be pissed if they do decide he isn't worth the hassle anymore great talent or not...

Man, the look on Kane's face shows him being scared, embarrassed and ashamed.
I for one think he's a good kid who enjoys his life outside of hockey like anybody does away from work. Probably a bit too much, but it is what it is. He believes he will be exonerated from this, so if nothing happened, nothing happened. Just another night out on the town during his own personal time.

Now for the Hawks contemplating trading him. I dont believe the marketing BS that McCub says, since EVERY league, EVERY team, etc. says the SAME EXACT THING. We hold everyone to High standards, yada yada yada. There are individuals everywhere that have a dark cloud hanging over them in every organization. What skeletons are in his closet???

So why would some team trade FOR HIM if the Hawks dont want him anymore? Is that saying that the other team has a lower standard than the Blackhawks Organization. I just think it's BS. Stan is like his second father, who better knows him than Bowman and who better to have him correct his personal life and be a mentor now? And now Stan may be asked to trade him? That's crap. Why do they employ the great Bobby Hull then? Riddle me that? And WHO asked Bobby to come back?? uhh, yeah it was John McCub. Nobody ever brings that up? A little hypocritical if you ask me.

Time heals all wounds and Kane WILL show his remorse and prove to his teamates, his family and the Blackhawks Organization that he is not that type of guy. I'm glad Kane had the balls to sit by the douche reporters, whether or not he was forced to by management, but he did what he had to do. I commend him! Nobody has the balls to ask puppetmaster McD that sort of thing.

Go Hawks!
- stan-ley-cups

Why would another team want Kane? For the same reason you want the Blackhawks to keep him. He's a great player. And a "second chance" story is a good one. Chances are, he'd do well in another city for another team… for a while

Enzo and Simple Jack, have you ever had the hottest girlfriend ever who never stops female doging. At some point there's a line that gets crossed and then she's gotta go. It doesn't matter how good Kane is, did he cross the line? If he did, then he's gonna go. The only difference between Rocky and his dad is that Rocky will try to have the patience to get the best return. Ask JR, Belfour, and Chelios. Cross a line with the old man and you're gone right now. Not saying it's right, not saying I agree. Just saying, that's how it is.
- 6628

What would you think if Rocky went behind everyone's back including McD and decided to have a hush hush meeting with only the 3 captains or those 3 guys and Hossa and Hjalmarsson without anyone else's knowing or involvement and 'vote' to keep or trade Kane or have them decide? They are the ones who should be pissed, not McEgo. They are the one's who play with him and HAVE to answer questions from the media everyday, not the brass in the skybox hanging out and counting their pennies.

Let the players decide!

The reason he can't do that is because he will be asked under oath by DA or an attorney in a civil suit: why did you say you were sorry if you didn't do anything wrong? Why were you a distraction? etc.

The whole point of today's press conference was to let the media ask a bunch of questions they know that Kane and the team won't (and shouldn't) answer.

I know that the twitter and the press are in a (predictable uproar) but frankly given the difficulty and delicacy of the issue I think McDonough & Co. did a tremendous job.

If you watched it and can read behind the lines, it is quite clear McDonough is not happy to go through this charade and you can bet you will be hearing from him at the "appropriate time".
- TedJacob

Exactly, I don't understand why people think he would, or that it would even be a smart idea for him to discuss being sorry about something he clearly believes he did not do. He is under a criminal investigation and anything he says can be used against him. Anyone of us in the same situation would have followed the exact same protocol.

What would you think if Rocky went behind everyone's back including McD and decided to have a hush hush meeting with only the 3 captains or those 3 guys and Hossa and Hjalmarsson without anyone else's knowing or involvement and 'vote' to keep or trade Kane or have them decide? They are the ones who should be pissed, not McEgo. They are the one's who play with him and HAVE to answer questions from the media everyday, not the brass in the skybox hanging out and counting their pennies.

Let the players decide!
- stan-ley-cups

In a perfect world I would agree with you. But the players are not the ones paying the contract. Like it or not, money is #1. And if it wasn't before, it sure as poop is now. Always nice for everyone on the same page, but the first priority of the players is different than the first priority of management.

One thing I am happy about no matter what the outcome if Kane goes or if Kane isnt charged or h3 settles out of court that it seems like the Hawks will lose some casual fans and I am.fine with that.


Lazarus is a turd by the way. How did he get on the Hawks beat ?

I really don't get it so somebody explain it to me slowly. Kane will be traded even if he's never charged with a crime? Why? Because somebody made an accusation? If I accused JJ of something, does that mean his employer should fire him on my say so?

I think Kane bringing strangers into his home wasn't bright, but it's none of my, or his employer's, business. Kane was on vacation and wasn't representing the Hawks at the time. His employers will trade him because he was out past his bedtime? He actually drank alcohol? He's over 21. I don't think what happened in Madison is any of his employer's business either. He was on his own time. So, final warning of what he can and can't do during his vacation?

What happened to "Hawks Moving Forward"? “A lot has been discussed by the Hawks’ front office about Kane, but they want to keep Patrick Kane, they do not want to ‘punish’ his actions by trading him, they want to give him the time needed to ‘get his act together’ and remain a Hawk.” They know Kane personally and professionally, and have for many years. Until it is proved Kane brought this on himself, not standing by him through this ordeal would say a lot about the the (lack of) character of McD, etc. IMHO.

Just got a chance to watch the press conference. The awkward aura was impossible to avoid, you knew it was going to happen. Just glad that is finally out of the way, and now im hoping Kane(like he said) does indeed get absolved very soon so this is at least legally officially behind him. McD said that the Hawks take their decision making processes very seriously, and they were obvious very careful and tedious in making the decision to have Kane at camp and stand by his side at a public presser. They know FAR more than we do about what he did that night. Hard to imagine the Hawks turning their backs on Kane any time soon after this moment(baring a trade offer that improves the team, which i believe is impossible). I didn't hear or notice any subtle hints in anyone's comments that Kane is a goner, just a bunch of obligatory general statements that you'd expect. But i guess everyone is different. I for one am also standing by Kane's side and look forward to watching him get back out on the ice. GO HAWKS!

Just got a chance to watch the press conference. The awkward aura was impossible to avoid, you knew it was going to happen. Just glad that is finally out of the way, and now im hoping Kane(like he said) does indeed get absolved very soon so this is at least legally officially behind him. McD said that the Hawks take their decision making processes very seriously, and they were obvious very careful and tedious in making the decision to have Kane at camp and stand by his side at a public presser. They know FAR more than we do about what he did that night. Hard to imagine the Hawks turning their backs on Kane any time soon after this moment(baring a trade offer that improves the team, which i believe is impossible). I didn't hear or notice any subtle hints in anyone's comments that Kane is a goner, just a bunch of obligatory general statements that you'd expect. But i guess everyone is different. I for one am also standing by Kane's side and look forward to watching him get back out on the ice. GO HAWKS!
- SimpleJack

I just saw the beginning...which I missed live. My goodness why did they put him out there. If there desire is to maintain silence mandated by the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. Then fine...but don't trot him out there in your opening camp PR.

I just saw the beginning...which I missed live. My goodness why did they put him out there. If there desire is to maintain silence mandated by the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. Then fine...but don't trot him out there in your opening camp PR.
- bogiedoc

I know it was very awkward....but they had to get it over with. He had to show his face. If he wasn't there they would have asked everyone else why not, "whats going on with Kane?" etc...

I really don't get it so somebody explain it to me slowly. Kane will be traded even if he's never charged with a crime? Why? Because somebody made an accusation? If I accused JJ of something, does that mean his employer should fire him on my say so?

I think Kane bringing strangers into his home wasn't bright, but it's none of my, or his employer's, business. Kane was on vacation and wasn't representing the Hawks at the time. His employers will trade him because he was out past his bedtime? He actually drank alcohol? He's over 21. I don't think what happened in Madison is any of his employer's business either. He was on his own time. So, final warning of what he can and can't do during his vacation?

What happened to "Hawks Moving Forward"? “A lot has been discussed by the Hawks’ front office about Kane, but they want to keep Patrick Kane, they do not want to ‘punish’ his actions by trading him, they want to give him the time needed to ‘get his act together’ and remain a Hawk.” They know Kane personally and professionally, and have for many years. Until it is proved Kane brought this on himself, not standing by him through this ordeal would say a lot about the the (lack of) character of McD, etc. IMHO.
- Louielou

Posted this earlier but here it is again:

Was just listening to Kap and Haugh, not sure which one said it but they were talking about the Wisconsin situation and one of them said they heard through multiple sources that Kane was told that this was it. One more situation like this and you're done.

Now if and it's a big if that's true I don't see how they have any choice but to move him at some point.

Not to get political, but it's the best comparison I can think of off the top of my head. But, they can't pull an "Obama", if you draw a line in the sand you better damn well enforce it. If you don't you're sending a very bad message to the team. If you do enforce it you're sending a strong message to the team. We mean what we say and no one, no matter who you are or how good you are no one is exempt.

I know it was very awkward....but they had to get it over with. He had to show his face. If he wasn't there they would have asked everyone else why not, "whats going on with Kane?" etc...
- SimpleJack

then they release a statement by him and say he will be available at time later in the week....this was pathetic....

were only going to talk about hockey stuff after they open with him and McD babling with kane right next to him....

Posted this earlier but here it is again:

Was just listening to Kap and Haugh, not sure which one said it but they were talking about the Wisconsin situation and one of them said they heard through multiple sources that Kane was told that this was it. One more situation like this and you're done.

Now if and it's a big if that's true I don't see how they have any choice but to move him at some point.

Not to get political, but it's the best comparison I can think of off the top of my head. But, they can't pull an "Obama", if you draw a line in the sand you better damn well enforce it. If you don't you're sending a very bad message to the team. If you do enforce it you're sending a strong message to the team. We mean what we say and no one, no matter who you are or how good you are is exempt.
- walleyeb1

What if they know more about this new situation than we do? And they don't think there's enough evidence that Kane did anything wrong? And thus the publicity is only a result of the false accusation?

If they do believe this, then he's not going anywhere. I think they had a lot of time to learn as much as they could about what Kane did that night, and then made a decision to have him at camp and speak publicly. Those don't seem like decisions you would make if you just carefully assessed this new incident and came to the conclusion that Kane used up his last chance.