I think the team needs a true power forward. He would be that guy.
- pri$ey

I'll respect that.

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

Your best buddy always looks pudgy too

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

Very true which makes him so frustrating at times

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.
- mvp0207

Look, there is no trade here to be made involving these 2 guys. Salaries, contract term, NT clauses rule that out.

But if just a trade for hockey reasons were to ever materialize because the business aspect didn't matter, there are 29 league General Managers who would trade Kane in a heartbeat to get Nash even up.

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

All I Know is I've probably watched at least 20 or so Columbus games outside the 6 Chicago mathups the last few years and I know that same people on this board who dont like Kanes effort night in and night out will be down Nash's throat as soon as the team losses a couple in a row and hes a minus 4 or 5.

Im really not pointing any fingers at anyone in particular simply the crowd that preaches hard work in all three zones. Thats not Rick Nash.

This once again on top of making 7.8 millioin. That cap hit is the deciding factor for me once again not worth it for a guy whos never broke 70 points.

Look, there is no trade here to be made involving these 2 guys. Salaries, contract term, NT clauses rule that out.

But if just a trade for hockey reasons were to ever materialize because the business aspect didn't matter, there are 29 league General Managers who would trade Kane in a heartbeat to get Nash even up.
- RickJ

Even salary, even term then maybe I'll give you that.

But once again that is complete and utter speculation and opinion and I truly resent when in the process of a disagreement one person uses this argument to somehow try and dismiss another persons hockey knowledge. THE GM THING I mean. YOU may think all other 29 GMs would make this move but we cant say with any degree of certainty what GM's would do.

Look, there is no trade here to be made involving these 2 guys. Salaries, contract term, NT clauses rule that out.

But if just a trade for hockey reasons were to ever materialize because the business aspect didn't matter, there are 29 league General Managers who would trade Kane in a heartbeat to get Nash even up.
- RickJ

And I agree this is purely for fun there is no way this trade ever goes down.

Well...well...lookee here.

The all world @ home Redwings are stink'n up the Bell Centre as Habs unload 4-zip after 1.

Looks like the break came early for them too.

Isn't that amazing that other "elite" teams crap the ice once in awhile.

I expect calls for Babcocks firing as well as early retirement for Lindstrom after this one...but who knows maybe they come roaring back put that rabbits foot up their a@$#!ss and win in OT or shoot out again!!

Break up the Wings trade Zetterberg ....Wings losing 5-0 to Les Habitants. with over 35 minutes left to go

Well...well...lookee here.

The all world @ home Redwings are stink'n up the Bell Centre as Habs unload 4-zip after 1.

Looks like the break came early for them too.

Isn't that amazing that other "elite" teams crap the ice once in awhile.

I expect calls for Babcocks firing as well as early retirement for Lindstrom after this one...but who knows maybe they come roaring back put that rabbits foot up their a@$#!ss and win in OT or shoot out again!!
- bogiedoc

6-0 Habs

Look, there is no trade here to be made involving these 2 guys. Salaries, contract term, NT clauses rule that out.

But if just a trade for hockey reasons were to ever materialize because the business aspect didn't matter, there are 29 league General Managers who would trade Kane in a heartbeat to get Nash even up.
- RickJ

I disagree, What does nash bring that Kane doesnt besides physical play? Kane is more dynamic, better passer, a better playmaker, and actually backchecks unlike Nash. More positives for kane than nash also age and cap hit is in favor of kane than nash.

6-0 Habs
- mvp0207

but so

id love him on the Leafs obviously but just dont think the 2 teams would be able to work the trade out

I disagree, What does nash bring that Kane doesnt besides physical play? Kane is more dynamic, better passer, a better playmaker, and actually backchecks unlike Nash. More positives for kane than nash also age and cap hit is in favor of kane than nash.
- SCON33

You are entitled to disagree, I have no problem with that.

It's simply the Good Big Man vs Good Little Man Theory.

And whether right or wrong, most NHL GM's believe in that. And if not Nash, the next guy who would be snapped up in a jiffy is Getzlaf - because he is a horse and GM's like horses better than ponies.

Without a doubt, 29 teams would get on the phone if he was available.

I think that management feels another hitter on the backside and one up front helps in a playoff run, but this team lives and dies around what Toews digs deep to create, and the shooting mastery of the other top snipers Hossa and Sharp, and Kane.
They will expect strong contributions from Brunette, and everyone on the bottom end.
That means that league-leading most 4 goal or games has to continue in the post season.
I have got to feel that management and staff feel Kane becomes a difference maker in the playoffs as he has in the past.
They probably feel good about filling the parent club and the mid-lines and bottom end for the next half dozen years with the kids thay have.

But no one can convince me they have a difference maker there as of yet.

Kane can be a difference maker.
Even in that Nationally televised game where Milbury droned on about how Kane was puzzled, befuddled, and in a funk, I thought he generated quality chances.
In the games since, he seems on fire at various junctures, and to me, is one of the better creators up front, despite the lack of goals for his efforts.

The passes haven't gone in, the shots haven't gone in.

I just don't see a lack of effort on his part.

The very fact they can stay in the attack zone and change their lines as they have done successfully at times all year tells me he is doing something with the other elite players they have.

I felt Q may have been better off shaking all the lines up and then if it was not working go to the line combos he started with.
When Pirri was up before he played well with Bickell and Stalberg. It is Bickell's first chance to get on the ice in awhile - why not take advantage of that past strength.
and i play Brunette with kane because Bruno will get him the puck TO distribute?
That was off track...so back to Kane trade.

Unless you snag a Parise at this juncture, you don't trade the potential of what home town boy kane can do in the payoff for the hawks fto Buffalo for an overpayment of an average size Roy, smaller Pominville, (or Stafford as Pominville isn't who they are interested in trading) EVEN if they throw in the big kid Kassian for one simple reason:
None can do what Kane can.
He is simply the best of those players, despite all the particulars.

Now don't get me incorrect here! If this playoff is one where Kane clearly doesn't show up, play his hardest and have results, then in the Spring maybe I look for a goos solid multi-player return.

BUT you BETTER feel that the guys making ther way up and the return all add significant skill to the team and that the return doesn't logjam where you think you may have comers...

If you could get a really fine defenseman who is contracted up (or will sign here at number that doesn't jar the set pecking order) or a fine young goalie who looks to be a fire-lighter for Crawford, then I say at least you traded an elite talent and filled need.

But doesn't trading Kane just create another hole similar to the necessary Brian Campbell Cap launch?

I would LOVE to think teams WOULD over pay for a crack at acquiring him, and his baby faces marketing campaign they gain, but would they REALLY?!!!!!!!!?
- wiz1901

Good points, Wiz. I had no issues with Kaner's apparent effort effort vs the Preds. he had some hits (that didn't show up on stats), battled for the puck, and went into the tougher scoring areas more than usual. Just didn't get rewarded.

Bickell, well that situation continues to be an entirely different matter...

Well...well...lookee here.

The all world @ home Redwings are stink'n up the Bell Centre as Habs unload 4-zip after 1.

Looks like the break came early for them too.

Isn't that amazing that other "elite" teams crap the ice once in awhile.

I expect calls for Babcocks firing as well as early retirement for Lindstrom after this one...but who knows maybe they come roaring back put that rabbits foot up their a@$#!ss and win in OT or shoot out again!!
- bogiedoc

If you are watching the game I'm sure you noticed the Montreal coach benched PK Subban for the entire 2nd Period. Not one shift for taking a stupid penalty in the 1st period.

But his salary is. The 2 million Seabrook played much better than the 7 million, cap or no cap.
- dstarz20

Stop now. Seabs is ranked on his $5.8M cap hit. He's compared on that number & if traded would be counted at that number. Unless you're a bean-counter in charge of Rocky's PnL statement - which you are not - it's the cap hit that matters only. Same for Hossa's $5.3M cap hit and DK's $5.5M cap hit. Enough said. When you have JJ & AlC saying it, believe it.

Watching the game up here. Funny that Babcock was interviewed prior to the game and specifically asked if he was concerned that his team might overlook the Habs tonight. He said it didn't even cross his mind, given the venue, that his team would be motivated to play. Just goes to show even the best coaches can be way off sometimes....

John Jaeckel: Should 88's Days Be Numbered?
- John Jaeckel

poop stirrer




roy and miller for kane, crawford and beach

poop stirrer




roy and miller for kane, crawford and beach
- homiedclown

There is nothing on the Sabre team that would get you back Kane in return.

Does Kane get to take that shot if Dustin Byfuglien doesn't score 11 goals in the playoffs? If Toews doesn't deliver a Smythe winning playoffs? If Niemi doesn't stand on his head? If Brouwer, Ladd and Byfuglien don't wear down some defensemen? if Sopel doesn't block a lot of shots, etc.,

????
- John Jaeckel

He doesn't get it just like he doesn't get salary vs cap hit.

There is nothing on the Sabre team that would get you back Kane in return.
- RickJ

+1

So I finally got through all the other posts about this Kane topic.

To those who say he can never be traded... if Gretzky can be traded ANYBODY can be traded.

That said I'm not sure he'll be dealt. Not that he can't, just that he won't.

It appears if Q is trying to push SB's buttons on the roster. His constant line-juggling does get bothersome and may be impacting Kane.

On how Toews would feel? If the return were more 3-zone responsible players, he'd be ALL for it.

I truly believe that the right players added to this squad will have a ripple affect on the core players. Especially for the PK and 3-zone awareness 5-on-5.

I won't pretend to know the true value of prospects and picks to what other GM's expect, but also feel if SB wants to check his ego at the door, he can deal the RIGHT portion of picks & prospects for a 3L and a 4/5D. Whether rental or not, I can't tell.

I've got to add afew things to this discussion - I hope I am bringing some new points.

1) The argument that Kane can not be traded because of the marketing aspect. I don't think that will even be a consideration. IF Kane was to be traded, another young player would be swapped. The PR machine would just replace him...there would be not missed beat.

2) The more I think about it, I think there is a power struggle between Stan and Q (the coaching staff). I think if the system was designed to use the body more, Bickell might be a more effective player. MAybe OD and Hjalmarsson would be more physical. I hate to see anybody with health problems, but maybe it is time for Q to visit the hospital again for a few days, a few days when the team has a couple games. It might show if the team has quit on Q.

3) What about a Bolland for Kessler trade? (Tell me I'm crazy)