Speculation: Patrick Kane

[MayDayMayDay]

I think at this point, the chances of Kane coming to the Sabres are slim at best. BUT, I think those chances improve incrementally the longer he goes without an extension.

Ok, so alot of this is going to sound like typical wishful thinking. But as a Sabres fan living IN Illinois, I can tell a lot of you that I think you'd be surprised just how divisive Kane can be at times amongst a lot of Hawks fans here. In terms of Chicago athletes, he's probably second to Jay Cutler in that department (and that's probably only because Kane's won). It's true for the most part, he's pretty widely adored and considered a huge part of the franchise's identity both on and off the ice. But there's no doubt a contingent of Hawk fans who get frustrated with his perceived attitude and ego sometimes (I've talked to a few of them and seen it on a few different occasions). From my conversations, I think a lot of them would prefer he won with the perception of a little more humility (which I'm sure is what they became accustomed to w/ Jordan and the Bulls).

I think Kane staying in Chicago is going to rely mostly on his performance in the coming playoff years as well as the discrepancy during contract negotiations. But I also think the overlooked issue here may be his PR image and fan perception. If Kane and the Hawks are close enough come contract time, it's all probably a non-issue and he stays. But, if there is any significant discrepancy there*, at that point things get interesting. Kane is divisive and Chicago fans will want his loyalty**. If there is any indication that Kane's flirting with the idea of leaving, I'd be willing to bet that a lot of them won't hesitate to turn on him/hold the door for him on the way out.

ATM, 10 percent chance at best he hits UFA. IF he ever hits UFA, I'll go as high as 80 percent that he pulls the reverse Lebron James and signs in Buffalo.

*EDIT: or especially if he falters in the playoffs

**EDIT: and for him to perform in the playoffs

 

[Endless Ike]

From my conversations, I think a lot of them would prefer he won with the perception of a little more humility (which I'm sure is what they became accustomed to w/ Jordan and the Bulls).

I don't think Jordan was humble at all...He just kept his vices to himself better than Kane.

It's 100% a PR issue for Kane, but I don't think he cares very much after winning two cups. I know I wouldn't. He'll probably settle down as he ages, like everyone else.

 

[Fotes18]

Ive heard (and this is in no way a statement of fact as I dont know this for sure) that they have a rocky relationship to say the least. I heard when he was a kid he moved into his grandfathers house next door.

Is his dad still his agent? I know when he first came out, they avoided hiring an agent so they could save on the agent fees. His dad being a smart businessman figured he could do it on his own but when it came to the actual contract itself they ended up hiring council to help them better understand some of the language in the deal itself.

 

[Jim Bob]

Is his dad still his agent? I know when he first came out, they avoided hiring an agent so they could save on the agent fees. His dad being a smart businessman figured he could do it on his own but when it came to the actual contract itself they ended up hiring council to help them better understand some of the language in the deal itself.

Pat Brisson is Kane's agent.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl--t...star-better-on-and-off-the-ice-214905429.html

This is not a new Patrick Kane.

“He’s not a new man,” said Pat Brisson, his agent.

 

[Jim Bob]

If Kane's contract didn't expire until after the 2015-16 season, I have a feeling the odds would be slightly better than he lands with the Sabres.

If that were the case, the Sabres could have Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the fold before the Blackhawks have a chance to talk to Kane.

But, Chicago will have almost a year to work on an extension for Kane before the 2015 draft. So, I think that makes it almost a lock that he re-signs with Chicago barring him making some catastrophic off the ice mistake between now and when Chicago tries to push to lock up Kane and Toews.

 

[ende]

If Kane's contract didn't expire until after the 2015-16 season, I have a feeling the odds would be slightly better than he lands with the Sabres.

If that were the case, the Sabres could have Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the fold before the Blackhawks have a chance to talk to Kane.

But, Chicago will have almost a year to work on an extension for Kane before the 2015 draft. So, I think that makes it almost a lock that he re-signs with Chicago barring him making some catastrophic off the ice mistake between now and when Chicago tries to push to lock up Kane and Toews.

Its always tempting to be pessimistically dismissive of such possibilities when you're talking about Buffalo, but I think there are some very strong reasons in favor of Kane waiting out his contract to sign with Buffalo as an UFA.

- he's already won his Cups
- he risks very little waiting until UFA
- Buffalo can pay him anything Chi can
- he has never passed up an opportunity to express his ties to Buffalo
- he would immediately be Captain
- in Chicago he is a component, in Buffalo he would be the centerpiece
- it would be HIS team. few teams can offer that.
- never has the time been better to build a competitive Sabres team from scratch
- he could have the opportunity to skate with McDavid
- he could lead his childhood team to its first ever Cup victory
- there's not a chance in hell that very dream hasn't been in his mind since he first laced up his skates
- there's not a chance in hell he isn't completely aware of all of the above
- the stars are aligning right now in terms of when his contract expires and the progress of the Sabres rebuild, not taking on that opportunity now is something someone like Pat might regret for the rest of his life

The Sabres alone have the money PLUS all the things money can't buy with respect to Kane. It's rare combinations like these that allow crazy ideas like this to happen.

 

[Paxon]

I think at this point, the chances of Kane coming to the Sabres are slim at best. BUT, I think those chances improve incrementally the longer he goes without an extension.

Ok, so alot of this is going to sound like typical wishful thinking. But as a Sabres fan living IN Illinois, I can tell a lot of you that I think you'd be surprised just how divisive Kane can be at times amongst a lot of Hawks fans here. In terms of Chicago athletes, he's probably second to Jay Cutler in that department (and that's probably only because Kane's won). It's true for the most part, he's pretty widely adored and considered a huge part of the franchise's identity both on and off the ice. But there's no doubt a contingent of Hawk fans who get frustrated with his perceived attitude and ego sometimes (I've talked to a few of them and seen it on a few different occasions). From my conversations, I think a lot of them would prefer he won with the perception of a little more humility (which I'm sure is what they became accustomed to w/ Jordan and the Bulls).

I think Kane staying in Chicago is going to rely mostly on his performance in the coming playoff years as well as the discrepancy during contract negotiations. But I also think the overlooked issue here may be his PR image and fan perception. If Kane and the Hawks are close enough come contract time, it's all probably a non-issue and he stays. But, if there is any significant discrepancy there*, at that point things get interesting. Kane is divisive and Chicago fans will want his loyalty**. If there is any indication that Kane's flirting with the idea of leaving, I'd be willing to bet that a lot of them won't hesitate to turn on him/hold the door for him on the way out.

ATM, 10 percent chance at best he hits UFA. IF he ever hits UFA, I'll go as high as 80 percent that he pulls the reverse Lebron James and signs in Buffalo.

*EDIT: or especially if he falters in the playoffs

**EDIT: and for him to perform in the playoffs

Many people in the know believe Jordan's first retirement was forced on him as punishment for breaking the league's gambling rules. No one wanted Jordan's image destroyed so they gave him the choice to 'retire' for a year. I'm not saying that is fact but it is a very well-known and credible theory.

Jordan is probably one of the least humble athletes you can imagine, by the way.

 

[OhreallyOrielly]

Long story short his old man will do anything to make a buck off his kid. It's common knowledge in south buffalo that you can shop for Kane stuff in his basement. And the other store he sells stuff to directly

There's a story I've heard since before Kane was in the league. Once he got his first equipment sponsorship, don't know if it was freebies or paid to wear, his old man started using a sharpie to obscure the brand of anything he wasn't getting sponsored for.

 

[Jim Bob]

Its always tempting to be pessimistically dismissive of such possibilities when you're talking about Buffalo, but I think there are some very strong reasons in favor of Kane waiting out his contract to sign with Buffalo as an UFA.

- he's already won his Cups - but where could he win more?
- he risks very little waiting until UFA - he risks getting traded at the deadline & getting hurt
- Buffalo can pay him anything Chi can - True. Buffalo might offer more, too.
- he has never passed up an opportunity to express his ties to Buffalo - Having ties and wanting to be the face of the Sabres are two different things, though.
- he would immediately be Captain - I think that would be a bad idea
- in Chicago he is a component, in Buffalo he would be the centerpiece - That might not be that appealing.
- it would be HIS team. few teams can offer that. - Again, that might be more pressure than he wants.
- never has the time been better to build a competitive Sabres team from scratch - I don't get why that would appeal to Kane in a Chicago vs Buffalo debate
- he could have the opportunity to skate with McDavid - Maybe...
- he could lead his childhood team to its first ever Cup victory - Maybe... And if they don't win, he could get all the blame for it.
- there's not a chance in hell that very dream hasn't been in his mind since he first laced up his skates - Dreams of a kid don't always mean a lot to an adult.
- there's not a chance in hell he isn't completely aware of all of the above - That could go both ways.
- the stars are aligning right now in terms of when his contract expires and the progress of the Sabres rebuild, not taking on that opportunity now is something someone like Pat might regret for the rest of his life - Or he could be happy playing for the organization that drafted him 1st overall and with teammates that he grew up with as a pro. If he leaves, he could regret not winning as many Cups as possible in Chicago, too.

The Sabres alone have the money PLUS all the things money can't buy with respect to Kane. It's rare combinations like these that allow crazy ideas like this to happen.

My responses in BOLD.

I think you overstate most of the positives of coming to Buffalo and don't mention any of the positives of staying in Chicago.

 

[Jim Bob]

There's a story I've heard since before Kane was in the league. Once he got his first equipment sponsorship, don't know if it was freebies or paid to wear, his old man started using a sharpie to obscure the brand of anything he wasn't getting sponsored for.

There are some players that have that written into their deals.

I know Reebok/CCM was PO'd at Ovy for using a Bauer stick a few years ago and he had to spray paint his Bauer sticks black for a while.

There are plenty of other guys that have gloves re-skinned that are from their old company and have their new company's graphics.

 

[Custer99]

i have seen pro bmx bikes, where they take a frame from a quality manufacturer and slap schwinn or mongoose stickers on it cause they are sponsored by them.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Its always tempting to be pessimistically dismissive of such possibilities when you're talking about Buffalo, but I think there are some very strong reasons in favor of Kane waiting out his contract to sign with Buffalo as an UFA.

- he's already won his Cups i don't know any players who say, "I have won my cups, so i am not gonna try anymore. Buffalo would need to be a legit contender as he WILL want to win more
- he risks very little waiting until UFA Perhaps
- Buffalo can pay him anything Chi can true. Unless Buffalo spends its money poorly until the point where we can sign him
- he has never passed up an opportunity to express his ties to Buffalo true. he also loves playing for the home crowd.
- he would immediately be Captain i hope not. this would be a bad idea.
- in Chicago he is a component, in Buffalo he would be the centerpiece even if this were appealing to Patty Kane, i would hope he'd be a component here. I want other skilled players, as well, and not just one in patty.
- it would be HIS team. few teams can offer that.no, it's Pegulas
- never has the time been better to build a competitive Sabres team from scratch true
- he could have the opportunity to skate with McDavid then he'd just be another component, wouldn't he
- he could lead his childhood team to its first ever Cup victory this is contingent on the Sabres having a real team for him to compete with. he isn't going to make a poor career choice if the pieces don't fit.
- there's not a chance in hell that very dream hasn't been in his mind since he first laced up his skates it's worth repeating, Kane loves playing before the Buffalo crowd....
- there's not a chance in hell he isn't completely aware of all of the above or at least someone in his inner circle who helps him make these big decisions
- the stars are aligning right now in terms of when his contract expires and the progress of the Sabres rebuild, not taking on that opportunity now is something someone like Pat might regret for the rest of his life i hope you're right and things work out that kane would want to come here.

The Sabres alone have the money PLUS all the things money can't buy with respect to Kane. It's rare combinations like these that allow crazy ideas like this to happen.

Just a few thoughts based on your list.

 

[Jim Bob]

http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/sa...ar-patrick-kane-for-permission-to-wear-no-88/

While the Sabres never told newcomer Cory Conacher he couldn’t wear No. 89 again, the winger passed out of respect for Alexander Mogilny, who scored 76 goals in 1992-93.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get 76 goals in a year, that’s going to be pretty tough,†Conacher joked Sunday inside the First Niagara Center prior to his Sabres debut, a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Conacher then settled on No. 88, digits popularized by South Buffalo’s Patrick Kane, a Chicago superstar.

“I like high numbers and I like 89,†Conacher said, “so I decided to go one lower with 88.â€

But before Conacher, a Canisius College product, officially grabbed the number, he texted Kane, someone he skates with during the summer.

“He just texted me, he’s like, ‘I’m going to wear your number in Buffalo, is that all right?’†Kane said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, you don’t need to be asking me about hat stuff. It’s fine.’â€

 

[Chad Thundercock]

I really doubt any level of rebuilding would convince Kane or any player to want to come here. Players want to feel like they can win now, if they care about that all.

The only hope is Kane is insane enough to want to give up a spot on a successful team in a bustling city to be King of his miserable dying birthplace.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

I really doubt any level of rebuilding would convince Kane or any player to want to come here. Players want to feel like they can win now, if they care about that all.

The only hope is Kane is insane enough to want to give up a spot on a successful team in a bustling city to be King of his miserable dying birthplace.

i don't know if everyone quite shares your bleak outlook.


Maybe he does choose to come here, and maybe he doesn't. It's interesting what some players will do to play for the team they idolized growing up, so I don't think it's as far of a stretch as you seem to think.