John Jaeckel: Seismic Rumblings (AKA Kinda Big Rumors)

No team is going to give up squat for Kane and his 10.5 million dollar cap hit on a hope and a prayer that he has "changed his ways"

Best Chicago can hope for is a few prospects and draft picks in exchange for retaining salary (think 3-4 million) for a guy with that baggage

All assuming he is innocent. Probably best for Chicago that he is guilty of *something* and use that to terminate his contract, use the $$ to keep some young players and sign some FA's

No team is going to give up squat for Kane and his 10.5 million dollar cap hit on a hope and a prayer that he has "changed his ways"

Best Chicago can hope for is a few prospects and draft picks in exchange for retaining salary (think 3-4 million) for a guy with that baggage

All assuming he is innocent. Probably best for Chicago that he is guilty of *something* and use that to terminate his contract, use the $$ to keep some young players and sign some FA's
- TheGame316

You might be surprised.

I respect your logic. But . . . he's a top 10 talent and his baggage might not be perceived as so bad compared to some other players who just have done a better job of staying out of the papers.

I heard one name of a guy possibly coming back in a package, who also has some "baggage," just not as much, also not as good a player, but still a very good player.

It really all depends on how things unfold in Buffalo and then, if it comes to that, what Kane is publicly willing to do to salvage his image, if not more tangible things.

Mark Giordano + Hiller for Kane.

You might be surprised.

I respect your logic. But . . . he's a top 10 talent and his baggage might not be perceived as so bad compared to some other players who just have done a better job of staying out of the papers.

I heard one name of a guy possibly coming back in a package, who also has some "baggage," just not as much, also not as good a player, but still a very good player.

It really all depends on how things unfold in Buffalo and then, if it comes to that, what Kane is publicly willing to do to salvage his image, if not more tangible things.
- John Jaeckel

I agree completely. Kane is a very high end talent. Some team desperate for a game changer and a guy who can save a GM job will do it. I dont think the market is 29 other teams but 15-18 for sure. Chicago will get a very nice return for him if they decide to move him.

No team is going to give up squat for Kane and his 10.5 million dollar cap hit on a hope and a prayer that he has "changed his ways"

Best Chicago can hope for is a few prospects and draft picks in exchange for retaining salary (think 3-4 million) for a guy with that baggage

All assuming he is innocent. Probably best for Chicago that he is guilty of *something* and use that to terminate his contract, use the $$ to keep some young players and sign some FA's
- TheGame316

As long as those prospects and picks are in the high(real high) end. Otherwise they just keep him, And all his baggage. Lets say a year from now he has been squeaky clean, Still think the Hawks don't get squat for him?

Trade him to Buffalo

with The Winnipeg-Crawford rumor, I would put my money on Nikolaj Ehlers. That would be absolutely phenomenal

Who the hell would be coming back in the Skinner deal? The only person the would make sense would be Dano. , and that doesn't help you at all.

Only highly paid veteran not named Versteeg would be Hossa. I don't see the Hawks getting rid of him, Shaw maybe.

John,

I enjoy your column, you seem like you have some good insight, and you highly informative insiders may have suggested a Crawford for pavs and high jets prospect but why would the jet so that? Forget the fact we have one of the top tender prospects, but we have our own highly regarded players coming off of entry deals, and we're gonna spend that cash on a goalie? Save a beer or me

Trade him to the Kings. They'll terminate his contract..... No wait. They'll just let him allegedly keep raping.

John,

I enjoy your column, you seem like you have some good insight, and you highly informative insiders may have suggested a Crawford for pavs and high jets prospect but why would the jet so that? Forget the fact we have one of the top tender prospects, but we have our own highly regarded players coming off of entry deals, and we're gonna spend that cash on a goalie? Save a beer or me
- JETSWIN

I'll just say this, all I hear tells me Chevy sees a lot of hawk players as upgrades over what he has, right or wrong. Thanks for the kind words, too.

JJ, there must be other private incidents from Kane that we are not privy to in order for the Hawks to take such a drastic measure as to trade a cornerstone of their franchise. They will surely lose whatever trade is made unless you view gaining cap room as a trade win. I agree with your statement, if Kane admits he has a behavior problem and agrees to clean up his act, then there is no reason for Stan to trade him.

If your sources are right it sounds like there are enough Hawks sponsors very concerned about the 'image' or brand that Kane is bringing into the organisation & want that rectified if the relationship is to continue. A little 'pressure' from the money men can make an organisation forget about what is 'best' for their sporting ability & think hard about their reputation!

So it does appear (if the above is correct), damage has been done & there are enough people in important positions not inside the organisation that want that changed by removing Kane.

Strange, are there any other 'Kane's' in the NHL? 2 very high profile & very good players named Kane that both 'appear' to be huge arse holes! Coincidence!

Is voiding his contract even a legal possibility?

Life without Xavier will be less exciting but, the youngsters we have or may have will more than make up for it I'm sure. Stan did great on the Saad deal. It's not everyday that a talent like Xavier LaFlamme goes on the market. Come on October.

Is voiding his contract even a legal possibility?
- hockey nut 28

I am actually not sure, but I have heard it is.

Might it depend on the outcome of the case?

An extended jail sentence for sexual assault might contravene whatever "morals clause" the SPC had; while an exoneration or no charges being laid would make it difficult.

If Kane is innocent, I see nothing good that comes from trading him. We will not get equal return. Simple enough. Let's not forget what built this brand again. Stanley Cups and winning on the ice. If they for a second think these bandwagon fans will all stick around when we become a mediocre team, then they are sadly mistaken. Without Kane on the ice, I don't see us being a contender. Him and Toews are just coming into their primes and Hossa, Keith, Seabrook (if we can find a way to resign him) aren't getting any younger. Our window is now with Kane in the picture. Without him, it is a whole unknown story. Kane is a proven winner and if innocent, I don't want to see him gone just to save the brand he and Toews (yes along with help) built. The weight has always been on their shoulders though.

I wouldn't be surprised if every other team would be interested in Kane if he isn't charged with anything major from this incident. They take a chance and he's motivated; that's a nice asset. If he screws up again, that's his first strike with the new team and they probably give him a second chance (but not a third.)

Let me guess...
Carolina sends Skinner and Hanifin + to Hawks for Bickell and Seabrook or Hammer. I hope not because I just don't think we could replace Seabrook or Hammer. But I have a feeling the Hawks are very high on Hanifin.

been expecting this...

1. To quiet for to long

2. Camp is 3 weeks away

Something has to "give" and very soon....and most likely when it does and StanBow moves it will be something none of us saw coming ala adios Saad.

also I am sure #88 has exhibited poor decision making and behaviour a number of times that never made it the public square.

if he has had such issues since coming to the hawks the question is why have not his family or the hawks intervened to "force" him into help and treatment....

now everyone gotten bitten in the ass by him....

Let me guess...
Carolina sends Skinner and Hanifin + to Hawks for Bickell and Seabrook or Hammer. I hope not because I just don't think we could replace Seabrook or Hammer. But I have a feeling the Hawks are very high on Hanifin.
- FourOrr

you are kidding...right???

I wouldn't be surprised if every other team would be interested in Kane if he isn't charged with anything major from this incident. They take a chance and he's motivated; that's a nice asset. If he screws up again, that's his first strike with the new team and they probably give him a second chance (but not a third.)
- matt_ahrens

Agreed, unless he comes out of this looking squeaky clean, it may be best for Kane to move-on also, a fresh start, he let quite a few in the hawks organization down, there would have to be remaining hard feelings going forward if he stayed in Chicago.