Aivis Kalnins is saying Ships rep told him he was doing what ever he can to get out of his contract. looks to be a KHL reporter.

if we could end up with 2 or Evander kane, Ship or Vesey. I would feel much better about our chances to compete, our D is better but we just do not look strong on Offense.
- kmw4631

I think Vesey is a pipe dream, unfortunately

And unless Ship can slide over to LW you still don't have one for Toews, if Stan were even able to get the kid:

XXX-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Ship-XXX
Panik - AA - Hossa
Desi-Kruger-XXX

Someone else posted earlier that at some point they might just accept they're not getting a new Saad and tweak line 1's style of play and put Panarin up there and I think they're right. That might be the best option but they would move away from their cycle game. I have more faith that Toews and Hossa can adjust style of play than banking on Panik or whoever being a 1LW. We know Kane can carry a LW that isn't top 6.

and Greg Oden (Portland has a knack for bad drafts - Bowie over Jordan, anyone?)
- pdx2ord

Bowie wasn't a first overall - Olajuwan was (actually, a pretty good #1).

Stop the lovefest for Evander Kane. Aside from his legal problems his work ethic and attitude are major concerns. Unless he signs for league minimum, which he won't, he isn't worth the headaches he causes.

I am a big fan of Richard Panik, and was actually pining for him to be used more often during the season. Size, speed, physicality, and a nice release. His puck control leaves plenty to be desired, but he was a very effective player for the Hawks down the stretch and in Round 1. I think that is likely Plan B for Stan. My only concern would be...what if Panik cant fill that role? It is a big risk to bank on Panik as the 1LW in what very may well be the Hawks last 1-2 years of legitimate Cup Contention (without a major salary reduction/shakeup). Hossa is 38 and re-signing Panarin is no guarantee. There is an ascension and a very rapid decline with a Hard Salary cap. The Hawks have addressed their D-Core, and have a Top 3 defense in the NHL as it stands currently, IMO. However, they were a 1 line scoring team last year, and lost Shaw, Ladd, and Tuevo. I like Panik much more at 3LW, but I'm not sure Stan has any other choice than to place him at 1LW and see what happens...
- EnzoD

No one wants to lose Panarin, but when (if) it becomes obvious that he won't resign, he gets moved and brings back a very nice couple of pieces,picks/good prospects.

I am a big fan of Richard Panik, and was actually pining for him to be used more often during the season. Size, speed, physicality, and a nice release. His puck control leaves plenty to be desired, but he was a very effective player for the Hawks down the stretch and in Round 1. I think that is likely Plan B for Stan. My only concern would be...what if Panik cant fill that role? It is a big risk to bank on Panik as the 1LW in what very may well be the Hawks last 1-2 years of legitimate Cup Contention (without a major salary reduction/shakeup). Hossa is 38 and re-signing Panarin is no guarantee. There is an ascension and a very rapid decline with a Hard Salary cap. The Hawks have addressed their D-Core, and have a Top 3 defense in the NHL as it stands currently, IMO. However, they were a 1 line scoring team last year, and lost Shaw, Ladd, and Tuevo. I like Panik much more at 3LW, but I'm not sure Stan has any other choice than to place him at 1LW and see what happens...
- EnzoD

Panik just needs to play above his contract. Toews and Hossa need to play better this season.

Oh well, its the way it goes in a cap world. Nothing last forever. I don't think the team is done. Still a long time before camp even starts.

Panik just needs to play above his contract. Toews and Hossa need to play better this season.

Oh well, its the way it goes in a cap world. Nothing last forever. I don't think the team is done. Still a long time before camp even starts.
- TTtime

I'm not saying this team is done. The Hawks have until Toews/Kane are well into their 30s before a full rebuild is needed. I just think that more action is required to be confident that the Hawks can win it all this year (without Pittsburgh type of "miracle"). I mean, who the frank thought that Pitt had any shot at the Cup in January 2016?? All you need to do is get to the big dance and with 19, 2, 88 anything can happen. But, let's not kid ourselves, Marian Hossa put this team over the top. He has been a 200ft BEAST with and without the puck since 2010. Without Hossa at a top 6 level, this team will have trouble raising the Cup (as currently constructed).

EDIT: Hossa was an absolute beast in Game 7 vs STL and if he can remember how to lift the puck, he will easily pot 20+ goals this year

Has there ever been a worse #1 overall pick in NHL history? Anyone??
- EnzoD

Rick DiPietro?

I'm not saying this team is done. The Hawks have until Toews/Kane are well into their 30s before a full rebuild is needed. I just think that more action is required to be confident that the Hawks can win it all this year (without Pittsburgh type of "miracle"). I mean, who the frank thought that Pitt had any shot at the Cup in January 2016?? All you need to do is get to the big dance and with 19, 2, 88 anything can happen. But, let's not kid ourselves, Marian Hossa put this team over the top. He has been a 200ft BEAST with and without the puck since 2010. Without Hossa at a top 6 level, this team will have trouble raising the Cup (as currently constructed).
- EnzoD

As long as the cap does not go up significantly this team is officially done winning cups...end of story. Those two major contracts as well as a few more means this team will never be able to afford the depth to win, period.

We got the cups...fantastic....the players wanted to max out financially and they did, the end result is what you see before you. Not being a Debbie Downer just reality. Good luck finding another Panarin under 1 million again and BTW he does not have that season like he did last year and we miss the playoffs, and will be gone next year (most likely).

Hope Stanbo has a plan as JJ says otherwise this could be a long season.

Rick DiPietro?
- 93Joe

Nice. Even Daigle had a 50 point season with Ottawa. DiPietro never had a save % over .920 and Nail has a career high of 31 points (though it was the lockout shortened season so that equated to over 50 over a full season). I think Nail may be the worst #1 overall in NHL history....DiPietro a close 2nd though

As long as the cap does not go up significantly this team is officially done winning cups...end of story. Those two major contracts as well as a few more means this team will never be able to afford the depth to win, period.

We got the cups...fantastic....the players wanted to max out financially and they did, the end result is what you see before you. Not being a Debbie Downer just reality. Good luck finding another Panarin under 1 million again and BTW he does not have that season like he did last year and we miss the playoffs, and will be gone next year (most likely).

Hope Stanbo has a plan as JJ says otherwise this could be a long season.
- Hawkster

Rick DiPietro?
- 93Joe

I'll up you Patrik Štefan

https://youtu.be/k1Z9UspUHqg

I think Vesey is a pipe dream, unfortunately

And unless Ship can slide over to LW you still don't have one for Toews, if Stan were even able to get the kid:

XXX-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Ship-XXX
Panik - AA - Hossa
Desi-Kruger-XXX

Someone else posted earlier that at some point they might just accept they're not getting a new Saad and tweak line 1's style of play and put Panarin up there and I think they're right. That might be the best option but they would move away from their cycle game. I have more faith that Toews and Hossa can adjust style of play than banking on Panik or whoever being a 1LW. We know Kane can carry a LW that isn't top 6.
- maria_wyeth

I was thinking of the same lines if we are lucky to sign Shipachyov.

4RW is likely filled by a rotation of these Icehogs: McNeill, Hartman, Motte, Baun, and maybe Rasmussen if he plays wing.

2RW could be Schmaltz if no veteran is to be had in free agency. Maybe Yakupov but I agree with others who think that he doesn't fit Q's system. He would be in the dog house right away because of his lack of playing defense.

1LW is the key question. Who knows at this point.

Well, putKane with Hossa and Toews, I make the trade.yakupov with Panerin and AA,
Oh geez, Evander Kane, I would like to see that thru rose colored glasses too. He'd be good for 1 year, then the Hawks re up him and all of a sudden he turns into another Tank Johnson . I pass on that 1.
- wonthecup10

Someone mentioned a one year deal for Evander Kane. Which does make some sense if his charges are dropped. Your sale pitch to him is he can play one year with Toews and Hossa and build back up good will....while also playing with two future hall of famers. His stats would be strong and if he stays clean he could get a big deal from some team after next year. He's a big dude that would have Toews' back as well. It's at least something has that to be considered if he is bought out and charges dropped. That's the only way it works. And wasn't there some talk in years previous that Bowman really liked him as a player?

Someone mentioned a one year deal for Evander Kane. Which does make some sense if his charges are dropped. Your sale pitch to him is he can play one year with Toews and Hossa and build back up good will....while also playing with two future hall of famers. His stats would be strong and if he stays clean he could get a big deal from some team after next year. He's a big dude that would have Toews' back as well. It's at least something has that to be considered if he is bought out and charges dropped. That's the only way it works. And wasn't there some talk in years previous that Bowman really liked him as a player?
- onehundredlevel

I am 100% on board for this move IF he is innocent and all charges are dropped. This guy is a freakin player with high-end speed, an elite release, and he plays with an edge. The guy can finish checks and would be able to play the cycle game with 19-88. He needs to be bought out first bc they can't afford him at his current AAV, AND he has to be free of legal issues. But, that would be a gift and really put this team over the top to LEGIT CONTENDER status. I've always been a big fan of Evander Kane the player, not the person. If Toews, Seabs, Hossa can't get that kid in line, nobody can.

Looks like if Yakupov plays a few more years he will have distanced himself from Gord Kluzak. There were also 3 guys taken #1 in the 60s that never played a single NHL game. Those are the only ones that could be worse from a quick google of worst nhl #1 draft picks.

Someone mentioned a one year deal for Evander Kane. Which does make some sense if his charges are dropped. Your sale pitch to him is he can play one year with Toews and Hossa and build back up good will....while also playing with two future hall of famers. His stats would be strong and if he stays clean he could get a big deal from some team after next year. He's a big dude that would have Toews' back as well. It's at least something has that to be considered if he is bought out and charges dropped. That's the only way it works. And wasn't there some talk in years previous that Bowman really liked him as a player?
- onehundredlevel

On the ice maybe,but like I said.......off the ice and you remember about 7 years ago,
Tank Johnson and his posse Willie Posey, that's whatI see, that kid has no discipline, McDonough doesn't need another nightmare, let him go to LA ,he'd fit right in out there .

Evander Kane has been in the NHL for 7 seasons. He has only managed to play 70+ games twice. He has only 1 season where he scored more than 20 goals and only one where he scored more than 50 points. He has legal concerns and questions about his work ethic and attitude. He is not a top 6 player for a winning team.

Evander Kane has been in the NHL for 7 seasons. He has only managed to play 70+ games twice. He has only 1 season where he scored more than 20 goals and only one where he scored more than 50 points. He has legal concerns and questions about his work ethic and attitude. He is not a top 6 player for a winning team.
- pjm901

Evander Kane or Richard Panik?

Looks like if Yakupov plays a few more years he will have distanced himself from Gord Kluzak. There were also 3 guys taken #1 in the 60s that never played a single NHL game. Those are the only ones that could be worse from a quick google of worst nhl #1 draft picks.
- pjm901

Kluzak had very bad knee injuries that was his problem, not talent.

Just for laughs:

In the 1964 Amateur draft (6 NHL teams at the time) there were 4 Rounds. 5 of the 6 players drafted in the first round never played an NHL game, the other guy played 3 NHL games total.

The Blackhawks first 3 selections that year never played an NHL game, but they squeezed 5 big league games out of their 4th rounder - somebody named Moe L'Abbe.

Evander Kane or Richard Panik?
- EnzoD

I go with Panik everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. Kane has more talent but the Hawks don't need a potential cancer with his poor work ethic and attitude. Plus, if Kane gets injured again or can't stay out of off-ice trouble, then we are back to square one with a gap at 1LW but this time with cap money tied up in Kane limiting Stan's ability to find a replacement.

I go with Panik everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. Kane has more talent but the Hawks don't need a potential cancer with his poor work ethic and attitude. Plus, if Kane gets injured again or can't stay out of off-ice trouble, then we are back to square one with a gap at 1LW but this time with cap money tied up in Kane limiting Stan's ability to find a replacement.
- AEL_Fox

The hypothetical acquisition would only be if Evander Kane was bought out by the Sabres and signed at $1-2mil for 1 year as a "boost your stats and cash out next summer" type of contract. Just spitballing here. More offense is needed.

The hypothetical acquisition would only be if Evander Kane was bought out by the Sabres and signed at $1-2mil for 1 year as a "boost your stats and cash out next summer" type of contract. Just spitballing here. More offense is needed.
- EnzoD

This.

He would have to agree to a baby sitter too though.

Alain Daigle says hello.
- TTtime

Patrik Stefan is in the picture photo bombing him.

I'll up you Patrik Štefan

https://youtu.be/k1Z9UspUHqg
- JohnScott

Dammit! Beat me to it John Scott! Cheers!

This.

He would have to agree to a baby sitter too though.
- mrpaulish

Like Dez Bryant in Dallas. It has been done elsewhere in professional sports. While his production has not been outstanding, he has played on two very mediocre to bad teams over his career. Former 4th overall pick that is very impressive to my amateur eye test whenever I watch him play. He has had bad luck with injuries over his career, but he is at 0.60 PPG over 400+ games of NHL action. Put him with 19+81 and watch that PPG avg get close to 1.0. I dont think Sabres will buy him out unless he is guilty, and in that case, Hawks will (rightfully) want nothing to do with him either. Though, there is a small chance that the Sabres dont want his presence in the locker room of a young team. The Hawks have arguably the most veteran/championship experienced locker room in the league (and they just added to that experience with Campbell). I think it could be a great fit, if the stars align.