So shouldn't you be placing the blame on Q?
- pri$ey

See immediately above.

Again, I'm not saying they should trade him.

I am saying those who think it's sacrilege, insane, crazy etc., need to take the blinders off. There is an argument, at least, for considering the possibility.

All of you guys start arguing in terms of seats being full and kids buying ice cream. The last thing Rocky Wirtz needs is you guys looking out for his pocketbook.

Further, this guy has holes in his game. If he works hard and overcomes them— great, hall of fame player. If not, one dimensional player whose career highlight will be a fluky goal in a playoff game and some sick shootout moves.

He is also not the only core guy they could deal. FWIW
- John Jaeckel

Brilliant

If you're basing your idea solely on the stat sheet, please log off and find somewhere else to waste your time.

So you're insinuating that Byfuglien, who played forward in his time as a Hawk is a better choice as a defensemen on this team than Seabrook? Seabrook is a warrior out there, can and will hit and plays pretty consistantly every night. He's probably one of the best defenseman on this team night in and night out. He seems to be impervious to concussions and probably could leap tall buildings in a single bound if you asked him to. Can Byfuglien give you any of this on a nightly basis? Perhaps, but not at the level Seabrook can.
- EKolb13

Actually Byfuglien came up as a D man, guess you don't follow the Hawks that much. Now he went to the All-Star game as a D man. Also, in 2010 when they won the cup, who single handedly tore apart the Canuckle heads and the Sharks...Wasn't Seabbrook. I like Seabrook, but at 7 mil vs. 4.5 mil...It's obvious Buff is the choice.

Again, I'm not saying they should trade him.

I am saying those who think it's sacrilege, insane, crazy etc., need to take the blinders off. There is an argument, at least, for considering the possibility.

All of you guys start arguing in terms of seats being full and kids buying ice cream. The last thing Rocky Wirtz needs is you guys looking out for his pocketbook.

Further, this guy has holes in his game. If he works hard and overcomes them— great, hall of fame player. If not, one dimensional player whose career highlight will be a fluky goal in a playoff game and some sick shootout moves.

He is also not the only core guy they could deal. FWIW
- John Jaeckel

LMAO!!

And I bet you get a lot of hits on this write up too.

I agree - everyone must be willing to think outside of the box. An under the radar issue going forward for this season is that there are not a lot of sellers...yet...maybe.

My difficulty with pushing for a trade is that I just don't think they can add enough to win it - this year.

Agreed but when I say outrageous I mean anything north of 7-7.5m which is probably what Parise will want.
- Tweek

This is what Nash is making. Corey Perry in a year or two will also be getting a similar paycheck to these numbers as well. Stamkos also is in this price bracket.

Blackhawks trade Patrick Kane to NYI for Frans Nielsen, Andrew MacDonald, and NYI first rounder in 2012. CHI gets their second line center, a young cost-controlled top 4 d-man, and a top pick; NYI gets the permanent right wing to play with Tavares and Moulson.
- isles10289

The only thing you had right is "top pick"... but with Kane, chances are it's value drops.

Hossa has the 14th highest salary in the NHL... Duncan Keith actually makes the most right now...

Kane is not in the top 50 in terms of money being paid to this season. What a stupid argument. Good job on equating production to dollars. See Frolik, Keith, Seabrook, Montador and Bolland as to other guys not carrying their weight looking at the big picture.

That being said he has been a PPG player the last two years. Which will even out. There were only 14 PPG players last year. 27 the year before.

The kid is a special player. Moving him does not fix the fact that the shut down line is not shutting down. The 4th line plays 4-8 minutes/game. The inexperience/inadequacy of the defense (Leddy/3rd pairing). The lack luster TEAM defense. Shaky goaltending. Abysmal special teams.

Maybe one of those but FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR from pushes this team over the edge. I don't know what future hall of fame player would move here for that deal.

By this logic the Wings should clearly jettison Zetterburg because he only has 35 points in 49 games and isn't carrying his weight. Congratulations on restarting the run Patrick Kane out of town discussion. Maybe trade him for Buff and get a "coaster" you at least approve of.

Well, I completely disagree and many others around here seem to as well. I know that much.
- HawkFan27

Ask some people who've played the game, you'll get a lot of disagreement with your point of view.

We will take kane all day and i m sure he would waive his no trade clause to come back home.

Miller, Roy and Stafford for Kane, Bolland and crawford
- Cpilc

You're dellusional

Isn't he the guy responsible for the constant too many men penalties (like the one that led to the penalty kill with two minutes left last night)? Or the decision to play non-favtor Bickell over Frolik who at least wins puck battles?

Yeah, Quenneville is always right. Another Myth Some Hawk Fans Take To The Bank.
- John Jaeckel

Well he was right in this situation and I don't know how you blame the coach on that too many men penalty, unless it is because of confusion on the bench...which it didn't seem to be.

Kane was making the right play last night by flying the zone whenever the Blackhawks had even a slim chance of getting the puck to spring him. Any coach would be telling one guy to fly the zone in that case because it gives them the best chance of scoring a PK goal with 1 minute left in the game.

Agreed. The only way I'd take a dman is if it's added.

Evander Kane AND Zach Bogosian


- pri$ey

I think this would be palatible for both sides. Would love to swing Stuart too, but no way the Jets part with him and Bogosian.

Ask some people who've played the game, you'll get a lot of disagreement with your point of view.
- John Jaeckel

I've played the game and I disagree with you. I've coached the game and I disagree with you.

Your responses are insulting, just fyi.

Great piece JJ, well presented.

Since we are in semi hypothetical land, let me submit this to idea for consideration.

While Q may have been the perfect coach for this team a few years ago, I theorize that perhaps his style and approach to a maturing group is not evolving itself. That is as a result, you have a rigid micro manager that players are tired of walking on egg shells around.

AT some point you have to let the guys go a little and play. And I am speaking more of the roll guys. I know he is paid to win and will use the tools at hand, but the end result is wearing guys out and a divided dressing room. Players who are core and the rest.

I of course am only speculating, however, as romantic as it is to wish we had Buff, Ladd and Versteeg (all players in an out of Q's doghouse), who thinks that if those guys came back or were still here, that they would be thrilled with their yo yo rolls? Buff and Ladd have all but said this and have thrived with core rolls on their new teams. Any fan who thinks either of them would trade what they have now to come back and be non core player is seeing the world with rose colored glasses.

Again, just speculation, but feel that guys like the above mentioned and add Campbell all zipped their lips watching guys get anointed core ahead of them, knowing that, although they are good players, they are/were far from being head and shoulders above the rest on the ice. And sadly we are seeing that mentally, some of the ones we anointed are not that dynamic or capable of true leadership.

So is Q and his style/culture a hindrance to this team and its growth?
- TrueGrit

I think you hit the nail on the head. At some point everyone needs to stop trying to trade everyone and start pointing the finger at the coach. The Hawks are arguably one of the more talented teams in the league. Their "core" players mean that they should remain competitve for several years. If this team fails to make the playoffs or advance past the first round you would have to imagine that Q's days would be numbered.

At this point the talk of doom is a little premature. Yes, they are in 4th place in the division now. They are also 1 GAME from being in 2nd and 3 pts from being back in first. They have 3 games remaining against the Wings and Preds and 4 against the Blues. Things obviously could go south, but there is also the possibility that they go the other way. They have split with the Blues and played the Wings to more or less a draw.

How do you get those players—salary aside— for only Bickell and/or Frolik? Get ready to part with some of your better prospects, if that's enough.
- John Jaeckel

They have the money to get if simply a salary dump by others without having to give up much. If a team sees a chance to dump someone, the Hawks have the space to take it on. Bickell and Frolik would just give them more room if someone was willing to take them on, which I don't know.

Hossa has the 14th highest salary in the NHL... Duncan Keith actually makes the most right now...

Kane is not in the top 50 in terms of money being paid to this season. What a stupid argument. Good job on equating production to dollars. See Frolik, Keith, Seabrook, Montador and Bolland as to other guys not carrying their weight looking at the big picture.

That being said he has been a PPG player the last two years. Which will even out. There were only 14 PPG players last year. 27 the year before.

The kid is a special player. Moving him does not fix the fact that the shut down line is not shutting down. The 4th line plays 4-8 minutes/game. The inexperience/inadequacy of the defense (Leddy/3rd pairing). The lack luster TEAM defense. Shaky goaltending. Abysmal special teams.

Maybe one of those but FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR from pushes this team over the edge. I don't know what future hall of fame player would move here for that deal.

By this logic the Wings should clearly jettison Zetterburg because he only has 35 points in 49 games and isn't carrying his weight. Congratulations on restarting the run Patrick Kane out of town discussion. Maybe trade him for Buff and get a "coaster" you at least approve of.
- fattybeef

Fatty,

Check your facts, read all the posts (and the blog). I'm talking cap hit— which is ALL THAT MATTERS. So, you, my friend, are being not stupid, but also not terribly smart in terms of crafting your argument.

If you won't show me the courtesy of responding to what I actually said, then calling me stupid and putting words in my mouth, then I will not show you as much courtesy and patience as I am right now.

Got it?

Done.

The problem is I doubt Kane is a New Jersey type player lol
- pri$ey

Neither was Kovalchuk. We play a more up tempo style. Aggressive forcheck.

I'm not a huge fan of Kane. Sure, he looks dynamic at times, and is a really good passer, but doesn't play D very well (effort), and his only d move seems to be a hook.

I'd deal him, but I'd expect a fantastic return, based on his rather reasonable salary and age.

Tavares + for Kane + is what I'd like, or Kane + for Ryan or Perry +. I only say +, because deals are difficult to complete 1 for 1.

I wouldn't want Nash, as he makes over 7, and is 4 years older I believe.

I've played the game and I disagree with you. I've coached the game and I disagree with you.

Your responses are insulting, just fyi.
- HawkFan27

Sorry, so are yours. Every bit as much. FYI

3 on 5. Doesn't take a genius, a player or a coach.

Check out the previus 59 minutes of the game when the Hawks couldn't beat Nashville 5 on 5 because they lost every puck battle. So they're supposed to do it 3 on 5 to spring Kane?

Less floating, more engagement was called for. Is that insulting?

The kid is a special player. Moving him does not fix the fact that the shut down line is not shutting down. The 4th line plays 4-8 minutes/game. The inexperience/inadequacy of the defense (Leddy/3rd pairing). The lack luster TEAM defense. Shaky goaltending. Abysmal special teams.
- fattybeef

I agree, this is not a team. If you want to see a team, look at the Bruins, or wings, or Rangers. Everyone is playing their roles. Coaching staff should be reviewed. The stick waving style in place is only accomplishing the puck going behind C2. There are not enough meat and potato type players on this team. Until everyone plays their roles and coaches don't teach to stick check and not take the body, along with making bad line changes, the result will stay the same. I do not advocate Kane should be made the scapegoat, but the disinterested play is definately frustrating me.

Roy miller kassian for Kane and Crawford/ emery

Sorry, so are yours. Every bit as much. FYI

3 on 5. Doesn't take a genius, a player or a coach.
- John Jaeckel

Go back and read mine and then read yours. You toss in things like "I know it" "Ask a player" and "genius". Insulting, flat out. Just attempts to put down me instead of my opinions. Not to mention you are wrong in doing so.

It isn't about being 3 on 5.

3 on 5 with a guy on the red line.
4 on 5 with a guy inside the blue line.

Clearly the Preds have a better chance to score on the 3 on 5, but that doesn't matter in this situation. The situation is about what gives the Blackhawks a better chance to score, which is the 3 on 5 with a guy on the red line.ny

Actually Byfuglien came up as a D man, guess you don't follow the Hawks that much. Now he went to the All-Star game as a D man. Also, in 2010 when they won the cup, who single handedly tore apart the Canuckle heads and the Sharks...Wasn't Seabbrook. I like Seabrook, but at 7 mil vs. 4.5 mil...It's obvious Buff is the choice.
- dstarz20

You're right, I don't know squat! I didn't sit in the stands in Rockford where Byfuglien was playing defense. What the hell do I know?

So in your infinate knowledge, if Byfuglien is the better defenseman, why couldn't he hold down a spot on the blueline over Seabrook?

If you want to make an argument that's actually worth it's weight, Byfuglien over Hjalmarsson could hold some weight. This one isn't worth its weight in dog #$%@!

I agree, this is not a team. If you want to see a team, look at the Bruins, or wings, or Rangers. Everyone is playing their roles. Coaching staff should be reviewed. The stick waving style in place is only accomplishing the puck going behind C2. There are not enough meat and potato type players on this team. Until everyone plays their roles and coaches don't teach to stick check and not take the body, along with making bad line changes, the result will stay the same. I do not advocate Kane should be made the scapegoat, but the disinterested play is definately frustrating me.
- ikeane

We ALL agree on this. Question is, how do you get that team? Trading Kane might not be the way to do it. it also could be a way. All I'm saying.

I wouldn't want Nash, as he makes over 7, and is 4 years older I believe.
- howiehandles

I agree the cap hit is more and he is older, but he is the Keith Thachuk PF Chicago has been looking for. I find it hard to not make this deal.

I would trade Kane for Parise straight up assuming Zach would resign with the Hawks for a price that isn't outrageous.
- Tweek

I'd have no problem with Lou doing that trade.