Trading Patrick Kane

[RP-29]

http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/09/01/patrick-kane-trade-interest-r*pe-investigation

A report out of Chicago suggests that at least five NHL teams contacted the Blackhawks to inquire about Patrick Kane’s availability after it became known that the superstar winger was under investigation for sexual assault.

Shocking? Only that the number of teams testing the waters with Hawks GM Stan Bowman wasn’t considerably higher.

The trade story by Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times cites a league source that revealed the interest in Kane’s services after the Buffalo News reported that a local woman was accusing the 26-year-old of r*pe.

With a serious charge like that hanging over Kane’s head, it’s hard to imagine why another team would actively seek out his services. At least, it certainly feels wrong.

But from a practical position, it only makes sense that other GMs would pick up the phone. After all, the time to buy is when a player’s value is low. It doesn’t mean that there’s a deal to be made, but to do anything less than inquire about the availability of a game-breaking player who hasn’t yet been charged and who might not be guilty of anything is a dereliction of duty.

There’s no indication that the Hawks have any inclination to trade Kane, who in July 2014 was signed to an eight-year extension worth a reported $84 million. Then again, given the potential for serious charges in concert with his previous indiscretions, it’s not inconceivable that Bowman would be open to offers.

As Lazerus notes, the defending champs are in a tough spot with the opening of training camp a little more than two weeks away. “Will Kane be there, swarmed by local, regional and national press for his first comments since the investigation began? Will he not be there, fueling rampant speculation and uncomfortable questions for his teammates to dance around? Will the Hawks suspend him until the district attorney decides whether to file charges or not, just to be safe? Will the league step in and do it for them, making the Hawks look tentative and weak? And how long might the DA take? Weeks? Months? All year? A black cloud hanging over the Hawks everywhere they go as they defend their third Stanley Cup in six seasons?

“Every one of these scenarios is bad for the Hawks. Trading Kane isn’t.

“Yes, you’d lose one of the best players in the world” Lazerus writes. “Yes, a segment of your fan base would be livid. But you’d get a massive haul in return. You’d free up a massive amount of salary-cap room. And you’d earn a massive amount of respect for putting your foot down and saying enough is enough.”

A “massive” return is debatable. Even in the absence of charges being filed, Kane’s history of bad judgment is like heavy mileage on the odometer. So is the fact that he is entering the first year of that cap-squeezing contract, which also has a full no-movement clause. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be traded. If the Blackhawks are determined to cut ties, it simply gives him a great degree of control over his destination. That said, the Hawks may decide that getting 75 cents on the dollar is preferable to suffering further damage to a brand that is one of the most admired in not just in the NHL, but all of North American sports.

It’s also one of the most closely guarded brands, which is why allowing its value to be chipped away with each passing day seems like something this organization won’t suffer for long.

The Hawks are in a tough spot here. No one should be surprised if other teams are looking to take advantage.

Thought-provoking article on SI about the possibility of a Patrick Kane trade.

Of course, as of right now, given the current progress of the investigation, there's a 0% chance of him getting moved. But if charges are filed, that opens the door.

Which teams could/would trade for him?
Which teams would he best fit?
Which teams would best fit him?
Which teams would Kane approve a trade to?
What would be a fair return?

 

[Puck082]

Isles have plenty of cap room.....could let Okposo walk to get Kane in a trade and be able to afford that contract. We have PLENTY of prospect at forward to spare.....

JT and Kane on a line together....whoa.

 

[Puck082]

Although the very thought of him in Brooklyn/NYC with all that money might be a bad thing.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

There's a better chance of the Oilers trading McDavid. He'll either be a Hawk for life or he'll go to jail and Bettman will make up some BS to get the Hawks out of his contract.

 

[tducey]

Yeah, until this is cleared up with Kane he's going anywhere. In any event has anyone heard anything as of late about what is happening here?

 

[RP-29]

There's a better chance of the Oilers trading Gretzky.

I agree it's a very long shot Kane gets traded. Sometimes it's fun to contemplate the muthaphukin' ifs.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Yeah, until this is cleared up with Kane he's going anywhere. In any event has anyone heard anything as of late about what is happening here?

It's been confirmed that he has a penis, I hear.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

They could trade him to the Sabres. Then the Sabres could negotiate with the Hamburg police to have Kane released to play in home games. That way they can get him for half a season and only have a cap hit.

 

[DevilishWon]

They could trade him to the Sabres. Then the Sabres could negotiate with the Hamburg police to have Kane released to play in home games. That way they can get him for half a season and only have a cap hit.

It just might




















WORK

 

[pixburgher66]

I realize it's a business, and the business is winning, but man...5 teams called right after? "HEY! HEY! You gonna move the accused rapist? Nah, just gonna wait to see if he's guilty or not? Okay, well...call back, okay?"

 

[DevilishWon]

I realize it's a business, and the business is winning, but man...5 teams called right after? "HEY! HEY! You gonna move the accused rapist? Nah, just gonna wait to see if he's guilty or not? Okay, well...call back, okay?"

We should have a contest to identify the teams, but kidding aside this is what professional sports has come to.....

 

[pixburgher66]

We should have a contest to identify the teams, but kidding aside this is what professional sports has come to.....

The teams mentioned wouldn't surprise me with their cap flexibility. Devils need to add some money to hit the floor I think? I'm sure Buffalo did. Islanders. Avs don't care about the moral quality of their players. Maybe Florida? They could use a big name that isn't 50.

 

[RP-29]

The teams mentioned wouldn't surprise me with their cap flexibility. Devils need to add some money to hit the floor I think? I'm sure Buffalo did. Islanders. Avs don't care about the moral quality of their players. Maybe Florida? They could use a big name that isn't 50.

 

[RP-29]

Maybe Florida? They could use a big name that isn't 50.

This is an interesting suggestion on several different levels.

South Florida residents are notorious for not giving a crap about their sports teams, but the height of their fandom came when "The U" was in full swing with their bad boys of college football. That region embraces its bad boys.

Kane likes to party and South Florida is party heaven. His no movement clause might not be an issue there.

Florida has enough young tradable mild-cost assets that could make a deal with Chicago feasible and Florida has enough cap room to fit him in. They're also in different conferences. ...For now.

I say for now, because it's just about as feasible that Kane gets traded to Florida as Florida gets moved to Milwaukee, which would make for quite the interesting instant rivalry.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I'm sure LA called too. They're suddenly flush with cap space - for now at least.

 

[davnlaguna]

I'm sure LA called too. They're suddenly flush with cap space - for now at least.

He might be a fit in the locker room but Hawks would need to take Brown back for cap space. Brown doesn't mesh well in LA. Building parks for kids and spending off nights at home with his family. I tried to get him to dine and dash at Denny's but he felt bad.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Isles have plenty of cap room.....could let Okposo walk to get Kane in a trade and be able to afford that contract. We have PLENTY of prospect at forward to spare.....

JT and Kane on a line together....whoa.

I don't see it happening. The Isles are all about character. Besides under the circumstances New York & Toronto would be the two worst places for him to go. The media would be insane with what's going on off the ice right now.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Disney reported that 5 teams has expressed interest. Do we know which five teams?

 

[awaz]

Disney reported that 5 teams has expressed interest. Do we know which five teams?

Flyers, Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs, Stars, and the producers of Orange is the New Black

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Flyers, Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs, Stars, and the producers of Orange is the New Black

As much as I like Kane as a player I don't want him on the Islanders.