From Buffalo local journalists

Incident last year:
http://www.buffalonews.co...se-investigation-20151227

Latest incident(s):
http://sabres.buffalonews...ade-against-evander-kane/

http://www.wgrz.com/news/...r-kane-released/257381091

Scan of the Google results would also seem to indicate some questions about work ethic.
- pdx2ord

If the Sabres buy out E.Kane....I've got to think the Hawks would be willing to give him a 1 yr prove it deal. There isnt a dressing room with more veteran leadership in the NHL than in Chicago. The Hawks have a GAPING hole at 1LW with no cap space to fill it. Evander Kane, after his off-ice troubles, could be had for dirt cheap. I just think that he has been in 2 situations without a good leadership group (BUF + PEG), and he has a world of talent and SNARL on the ice. I'd love for the Hawks to take a 1 year chance on him. Would you rather take a chance on an Elite Top 6 Talent with some off-ice issues, or roll with Richard Panik, Tyler Motte, and Nick Schmaltz???

With nearly every single available left wing candidate now taken
- Return of the Roar

Look over the list of UFA centerman as well, Roar. Most any center can slot at wing as well.

That's the formula. 72% of the cap into a 7 man core and wait for scraps that have little to no choice and try and find some useful ones and sign them.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think StanBo expected the formula to add up to 72% of the cap in 7 players...

Experts:
Nail Yakupov, what is the complete book on him, I thought he was a highly touted 1st round pick.would he turn a page and find his game maybe under a different situation like here in Chicago or does he fall under the same category as a 1st round disappointment, If he has high end potential and we gave away Tuevo, TVR , you already know what you have, this kid could possibly turn into what he was projected to be leaving that pressure cooker in Edmonton, I make the trade if that is theDeal, TVR for Yak and put him right with 19&88.
- wonthecup10

Yakupov is a (left shooting) RW. Moving him to LW is probably not a good idea when he hasn't yet even mastered the position he is most familiar with. Besides that, he would probably have the best chance to develop into the type of player he was supposed to be if he plays RW and has 72-15 to play with him.

Look over the list of UFA centerman as well, Roar. Most any center can slot at wing as well.
- Mr Ricochet

True to some extent, but in Chicago, you may even be told to play on your opposite side, or on all four lines in the same game.

Maybe that is the answer - only sign centers as forwards.

And honestly, not much left in the UFA center dumpster either.

There will be a lot of angst until August 15, when Vesey signs Stan's master plan for LW will be unveiled...

As far as remaining FA LW's:

Elias
Doan
Hudler
Versteeg
Raymond
Pirri
Korpikoski

And... some others...

FA pool not looking great...
- Chunk

What about Vrbata coming back to the Hawks? Could he play the off-wing with Toews and Hossa? He is one season removed from scoring 31 goals... I don't see him commanding a huge cap hit.

The NBA is unwatchable until the Conference Finals. Actually, I can't stand the NBA at any point in time.
- EnzoD

Lots of people completely disagree with you - NBA 2.6 BILLION per year from national TV; NHL about $500 million.

Hopefully that's why they're clearing all this cap space. Saw that the expectation is a little under Tarasenko money. If they sign him for that snatching Panarin away seems less likely
- maria_wyeth

Could be. Just taking a look now they have 10 mil in cap space with only Schwartz and Paajarvi to sign. Add Shattenkirk will be moved but we don't know what kind of money comes back although if Paryako puts up big numbers in his place he's an RFA next year.

Hawks get slammed around every year, and every year someone says it hurts them as a team. It doesn't. They are a possession team.
- JRoenick97

Oh I think it did last year against St Louis and the Hawks are not the ppossession team they once were.

That's the formula. 72% of the cap into a 7 man core and wait for scraps that have little to no choice and try and find some useful ones and sign them.
- Mr Ricochet

Answer: Toews, Kane, Hossa, Anisimov, Panarin, Panic (once - 11)

Question: Which Hawk forwards currently under contract have scored 10 goals in a season in the NHL.

I was saying it a month ago. There is a reason Stan isn't making moves for a F.

Ship and Vessey.
- vabeachbear

When would they even be able to talk to Ship? Can they already/is it even possible Stan already knows he's coming here?

Timofey Mozgov, the defintion of 'average player' gets 4 years, 64 Million in NBA free agency... Steven Stamkos, one of the best in the game, nets 8 years, 68 Million... Man I hate the NBA.
- TyYoungfelt

Its mind boggling how far the Lakers have fallen off the map.

What a complete dumpster fire their entire organization has become. Such a shame....

They can't even get a sit down with Kevin Durant and they have 60mil in cap space. While the Clippers(who have zero cap space) are able to meet with Durant no problem.

No...they didn't used to... Remember when we had... Buff...Ladd ...Eager...Frasier.... Versteeg..... Bolland....burish....




We played a cycle possession game...and pounded people.... We could play any style hockey we needed to and given period....
- southernhawk

Exactly Hawks played it anyway the other team wanted they have become softer every year since 2010

Lots of people completely disagree with you - NBA 2.6 BILLION per year from national TV; NHL about $500 million.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed......... it's all about the money. We've lost a complete and total dynasty of 5 to 7 years of excellence because of it. Very sad indeed.

I still think the formula for solving our forward depth issues is as follows:

XXX-Toews-Hossa
Panik-XXX(maybe Schmaltz)-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-XXX
Desjardins-Kruger-Motte/Hartman/Lundberg/Moose

Spread out the firepower(like the Penguins did) to create 3 scoring lines.

I don't think StanBo expected the formula to add up to 72% of the cap in 7 players...


- EnzoD

Well then rejigger the formula.

Edit: StanBow looks like he's aged.......

Answer: Toews, Kane, Hossa, Anisimov, Panarin, Panic (once - 11)

Question: Which Hawk forwards currently under contract have scored 10 goals in a season in the NHL.
- StLBravesFan

Guess this means rolling 4 lines, or even 3, is out of the question?

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.

Well then rejigger the formula.

Edit: StanBow looks like he's aged.......
- Mr Ricochet

And it looks like he took up Olcyzk on his hair restoration offer, as well.

In all seriousness though, something needs to change. Even Pittsburgh, the 2nd most top-heavy team in the league, doesn't have nearly as much tied up in so few players. Its seems to be mathematically impossible to have the depth needed to compete for a Cup with that kind of salary distribution...unless....Vesey???

Am i the only one that wouldn't mind at all if we got Versteeg back for the right price? He's shown he can be a very effective 3rd liner, and also a guy you can plug in the top 6LW on a line with Kaner.

Am i the only one that wouldn't mind at all if we got Versteeg back for the right price? He's shown he can be a very effective 3rd liner, and also a guy you can plug in the top 6LW on a line with Kaner.
- SimpleJack

I think he snapped his ankle or something at the end of the season...guy cant stay healthy

I think he snapped his ankle or something at the end of the season...guy cant stay healthy
- EnzoD

Broken ear

I still think the formula for solving our forward depth issues is as follows:

XXX-Toews-Hossa
Panik-XXX(maybe Schmaltz)-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-XXX
Desjardins-Kruger-Motte/Hartman/Lundberg/Moose

Spread out the firepower(like the Penguins did) to create 3 scoring lines.
- SimpleJack

You've named 13 forwards there - who last year scored a total of 107 even strength goals (including 3x3 in OT) - only PAK + Toews had more than 10.

You can't go into a season with that little proven fire power and that much inexperience and hope to put it all together.

Am i the only one that wouldn't mind at all if we got Versteeg back for the right price? He's shown he can be a very effective 3rd liner, and also a guy you can plug in the top 6LW on a line with Kaner.
- SimpleJack

He looks like the safest option of what is available. I thought he played really well for the Kings (side effect of living near LA - I watch even more hockey than when I lived in CHI).