+1, and yes, it may be time for Q to go. He's been a great coach throughout his career, but there has been a reason his time has ended in two previous spots. The constant line juggling messes with developing chemistry between lines. I can see doing this once in a great while, but seemingly every game? C'mon now!!!
- hawks2010

Tick-tock
Tick-tock

Miller and Roy for 88

Joining the conversation late here, but if a Kane for Nash swap were to occur I would be terrified for any team who had to come across the Hawks in the playoffs. I find it tough to pick out a team who could beat the Hawks if they were to acquire Nash. Nash is very underrated. He's been fantastic on an awful team as JJ mentioned. Look at the Olympics, he was easily one of Canada's best players

There was a speck of dust on my monitor that made that last m look like an r and an n. I was thinking that was the strangest trade suggestion I had ever read.
- MMMikey

I'm intrigued...

Kane is my least favorite 'star' of this team. He's young and talented and if he matures and figures it out one day we'd be risking watching him tear up the NHL, but if a return can give us more depth, and overall more talent I'd trade him in a heartbeat.

Jonathan Toews is the only one I'd consider untouchable, with Duncan Keith falling in right behind.

I never viewed Kane as being a Hawk-for-life, like I do Toews. I believe that Kane WILL be traded before his current deal is up, in order to offset the probable decline in #10 and #81's game in a few years from now. Those assets in return will hopefully re-stock the cupboard for the next go-round.

JJ, have you every read the little book called "The Third Best Hull" by Dennis? Subtitle is "I Should Have Been Fourth But They Wouldn't Let My Sister Maxine Play"

Book is full of hilarious lines - couple of them in there:

1) Bobby was single for 6 months and one day he told me he kept getting red eyes after having sex. I said 'Bobby, maybe it's the mace".

2) My old man wanted me to be a garbage man - he thought they only worked on Thursdays.

The old man worked in a cement plant for 47 years and was a big tough guy who apparently was real hard on his boys but in a loving way, they didn't hate him.

To me, Bobby is still the most exciting player I ever watched. I don't care if he was a drunk.
- RickJ

It sounds like an interesting read. I'll have to check that out.

I do, I just don't agree that they should. The fans shouldn't determine who the best team is based on past performance, marketing and allegiances. When they do, you end up with a weaker team.

The GM should have the stones to make unpopular but smart moves that better the team. So the age and skill thing enters into that, totally valid. Marketing should not.

Does it with the Hawks? I think we're agreeing it does.
- John Jaeckel

Other than Toews, I don't really care WHO gets moved, as long as it makes the team BETTER. Trading Kane would make McD and Co. come up with some new marketing than this BS, overused "One Goal" crap.

I might be aiming a few points high, as given their road record to date, home ice would be critical for them this year. So a 100+ season would be needed to get a home ice matchup in round one.

That being said, even 30-35 points in the last 32 games, 20 of which are on the road, and that they have played only .500 since 12/15 with most of those games at home, leads me to believe they will be grasping just to make it in.
Given their opponents in this final stretch, and their abysmal 24th in the league in total goals against, it would take a near 180 degree turnaround to ensure they make it in this year.
- Return of the Roar

From 12/15 they are above .500 @ 11-7-2 and 16-8-3 since 11/30 the start of their favorable home schedule.

For the Hawks to miss the playoffs would require a complete collapse and teams like the Stars, Aves or Wild to make a tremendous run. Those teams are 9-12 points behind the Hawks. For any of them make up that type of ground over 30-32 games is tough.

I'll take Parise but not Nash. Talk about a guy who doesnt play defense if you think Kane takes off shifts in the D Zone you wont be happy with Nash.

BTW the only reason he was on the ice during that PK was to CHerry pick and try to tie the game with under 2 minutes to go.

Team does Bad = Trade Kane. I love it. But yeah depending on the return I guess its always an option

I'll take Parise but not Nash. Talk about a guy who doesnt play defense if you think Kane takes off shifts in the D Zone you wont be happy with Nash.

BTW the only reason he was on the ice during that PK was to CHerry pick and try to tie the game with under 2 minutes to go.
- mvp0207

What you haven't seen with Nash is him playing with a good team and something to play for. It may not be the right, but would you backcheck hard in January on that team of losers who are out of contention by November?

Nash is a big body who can skate and hit and has a real mean streak. He gets selected for every Olympic team Canada puts together.

What you haven't seen with Nash is him playing with a good team and something to play for. It may not be the right, but would you backcheck hard in January on that team of losers who are out of contention by November?

Nash is a big body who can skate and hit and has a real mean streak. He gets selected for every Olympic team Canada puts together.
- RickJ

He still has never shown a propensity to play Defense. I guarantee if hes here and the Hawks go on a losing streak with him being a minus 5 or 6 all you same guys will start to get on his back the same way you are getting on Kanes.

Just remember the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

He still has never shown a propensity to play Defense. I guarantee if hes here and they Hawks go on a losing streak with him being a minus 5 or 6 all you same guys will start to get on his back the same way you are getting on Kanes.

Just remember the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
- mvp0207

+1

And is he (Nash) worth 1.5 million more per year then Kane. And his contract runs through 2018. He has a 7.8 million cap hit for a guy who's a minus 21 and doesnt score as much as Kane.

I'll admit its sexy to think about Toews and Nash on a top line but I think we should stay reasonable here.

Parise though is one of my favorite players who can top 90 points, play from one end of the ice to the other and has a winners attitude. The thing is what will he conmand after the years up and hes a free agent. I'd rather pay him 7 to 7.5 then Nash 7.8.

He still has never shown a propensity to play Defense. I guarantee if hes here and the Hawks go on a losing streak with him being a minus 5 or 6 all you same guys will start to get on his back the same way you are getting on Kanes.

Just remember the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
- mvp0207

Don't include me with the guys on Kane's back or advocating he be traded. I evaluate on the basis of what I see in hockey players playing the game. I know what Kane is and what Nash is. They are 2 completely different types of players.

And a player isn't selected to play on an Olympic team for Mike Babcock who doesn't "show a propensity to play defence".

This is a joke, the kid is in a slump and the problem is that he is showing it with his body language. There really isnt any real deal out there that you can get that is equal value to Kane. Give him some time he will snap out of it. I'm also pretty sure he is no where near a cancer to this team as you are trying to make this out to be. I really think the overall team right now is lacking confidence and Q has to make some adjustments. When Toews comes back along with Sharp I'd like to see some flip flopping of lines to get them going all across the board. This is what i think is best
Sharp-Toews-Kane
Stalberg-Bolland-Hossa
Shaw-Kruger-Frolik
Hayes-Mayers-smith/bruno/ (hope bickell is gone by then)

Seabs-Leddy
Keith-Monty
Hammer-OD/Lepisto/Scott

This is a joke, the kid is in a slump and the problem is that he is showing it with his body language. There really isnt any real deal out there that you can get that is equal value to Kane. Give him some time he will snap out of it. I'm also pretty sure he is no where near a cancer to this team as you are trying to make this out to be. I really think the overall team right now is lacking confidence and Q has to make some adjustments. When Toews comes back along with Sharp I'd like to see some flip flopping of lines to get them going all across the board. This is what i think is best
Sharp-Toews-Kane
Stalberg-Bolland-Hossa
Shaw-Kruger-Frolik
Hayes-Mayers-smith/bruno/ (hope bickell is gone by then)

Seabs-Leddy
Keith-Monty
Hammer-OD/Lepisto/Scott
- SCON33

When does Q settle on some lines and let them grow together?

Don't include me with the guys on Kane's back or advocating he be traded. I evaluate on the basis of what I see in hockey players playing the game. I know what Kane is and what Nash is. They are 2 completely different types of players.

And a player isn't selected to play on an Olympic team for Mike Babcock who doesn't "show a propensity to play defence".
- RickJ

Look I cant speak to why he got selected by Babcock to the Canadian team and I dont think you could speak to why Babcok selected him either its simply speculation. We cant conclude that since Babcock selects him to his team then he plays defense. And hasnt Babcock only selected players for one Canadian national team the 2010 olympic team. Kane gets selected to the US teams.

But I watch a lot of hockey and eyes dont lie. Nash takes a lot of time off in the defensive zone and thats simply a fact. You dont consistently score over 60 points in your career and end up a minus 73 for a career because your a defensive player. When I watch Columbus games he does a lot of the same things Kane does. Hes slow on changes, he cheats at the Defensive blue line, hes slow on the backcheck and he takes shifts off when things dont go his way. Yes hes bigger and is a possession type player whos hard to knock off the puck and is tough in the corners in the offensive zone but personally I would not take him over Kane for the reasons I've already mentioned in previous posts including the fact hes 1.5 million more then Kane at a pretty big 7.8 million cap hit. .

If you would thats great.

I do think Toews/Nash could be better than Toews/Kane because Nash goes to the net hard where Kane sets up along the boards alot.

Kane leaving would create a big hole and would only be offset by changing to another style of play.
- Al

How does losing Kane dictate a complete change in style of play?

I do think Toews/Nash could be better than Toews/Kane because Nash goes to the net hard where Kane sets up along the boards alot.
- pri$ey

I'll admit it sounds nice Nash and Toews. But isnt that what Toews does? He plays behind the net and on the boards then goes to the front and is really hard to knock off the puck. Very similar to Nash.

I have seen Nash make some really sick moves hes highly skilled I'll admit but 7.8 is a big hit for a guy whos never broke 70 points COMBINED with his lackluster defensive play.

The team has enough scoring. So it stands to reason IF you trade Kane you had better improve your team defense and get someone who does the things many of us say Kane doesnt do. Nash is not that guy. Im not willing to pay 1.5 million more per year for a guy who simply is bigger in the offensive zone but still does not score as much and is still a subpar defensive player.

I'll admit it sounds nice Nash and Toews. But isnt that what Toews does? He plays behind the net and on the boards then goes to the front and is really hard to knock off the puck. Very similar to Nash.

I have seen Nash make some really sick moves hes highly skilled I'll admit but 7.8 is a big hit for a guy whos never broke 70 points COMBINED with his lackluster defensive play.

The team has enough scoring. So it stands to reason IF you trade Kane you had better improve your team defense and get someone who does the things many of us say Kane doesnt do. Nash is not that guy. Im not willing to pay 1.5 million more per year for a guy who simply is bigger in the offensive zone but still does not score as much and is still a subpar defensive player.
- mvp0207

I think the team needs a true power forward. He would be that guy.

I do think Toews/Nash could be better than Toews/Kane because Nash goes to the net hard where Kane sets up along the boards alot.
- pri$ey

No doubt that Kanes spot is the half boards. He Lives on the half boards but hes really really good at playing in that spot. Teemu Sellane has made a HOF career playing from there. I think a team could use both below the net type crashers and half board type playmakers.

I'll admit it sounds nice Nash and Toews. But isnt that what Toews does? He plays behind the net and on the boards then goes to the front and is really hard to knock off the puck. Very similar to Nash.

I have seen Nash make some really sick moves hes highly skilled I'll admit but 7.8 is a big hit for a guy whos never broke 70 points COMBINED with his lackluster defensive play.

The team has enough scoring. So it stands to reason IF you trade Kane you had better improve your team defense and get someone who does the things many of us say Kane doesnt do. Nash is not that guy. Im not willing to pay 1.5 million more per year for a guy who simply is bigger in the offensive zone but still does not score as much and is still a subpar defensive player.
- mvp0207

Would be interesting to know how hard Nash works on his conditioning and off ice stuff. He has always looked pudgy to me...