Evander Kane - How good do you expect him to be?

[Huckleberry]

30 + goals is what i want from hm.   With Samson or Jack feeding him it should be possible.

 

We got two good LW goal scorers in Moulson and Kane with two young but decent centers, im excited.

[nfreeman]

I know you are trying to bait me and that's ok. It's the whole deal with Dustin Byfuglien and a number of healthy scratches. I am not 100% given up on Kane, but like I said before I had this preconceived notion about him and the social media fed into it. Reading some of these other comments has given me hope about that guy and I'll forget all if he turns out to be the player everyone says he is. I read yesterday a story about Jack Eichel telling TM "I'm the best player in the draft". I thought that's the kind of guy I want on my team. I guess I am being a little bit of a hypocrite in my view of each player.   

 

I'm not trying to bait you -- I'm really just looking for specific facts that support a self-before-team judgment of Kane.

 

FWIW, I too am concerned that he may create problems in the locker room that may materially detract from the value he adds on the ice.  This trade was not without risk.  I'm just trying to figure out what the facts are. 

[LGR4GM]

Interesting. I originally wasn't going to start this thread because I thought it would fizzle... carry on gentlemen I have found this enlightening. 

[French Collection]

I see a better fit with Sam, but Kane will be a force. He will go through, around or over opposing players. His rep with his fists also gives him space.

Sam is less of a carrier but more of a soft touch passer and finding the ideal spot type of player. He seems to slow the game down and find a seam to make the smart play.

He is also sound defensively so Kane can attack the net and forechecking like the Mongol horde.

[Peanit]

I'm not trying to bait you -- I'm really just looking for specific facts that support a self-before-team judgment of Kane.

 

FWIW, I too am concerned that he may create problems in the locker room that may materially detract from the value he adds on the ice.  This trade was not without risk.  I'm just trying to figure out what the facts are. 

The potential skill is there but also the potential baggage. Probably that could be said about most players but the "bad" stuff with most players is kept from the public. From what I've read it looks like Kane didn't want to be in Winnipeg from the start so maybe if he wants to be in Buffalo, which from what I've read he does, he'll have a fresh start and help Buffalo bring home the cup! I could live with that. :worthy:

[musichunch]

Now that is some high-quality intel.  Thanks.

 

One question:  how does Marr know what is going on in the Winnipeg locker room?  Not doubting your info, just curious.

 

Scouts have a lot of connections in locker rooms and coaching staffs in every league. They're like the whisper guys in Game of Thrones.

 

Whenever an internal scouting report is leaked in any sport there is a lot of juicy stuff the public never hears about.

 

Here's the New England Patriots scouting report of Johnny Manziel that talks about how shady his father's side of the family is:

http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/johnny-manziel-scouting-report-new-england-patriots/

 

And the notorious Luol Deng scouting report where they talked about what "African players are like", which surprised me because I didn't know any stereotypes of African NBA players. This report (although blacked out in parts) pretty much confirmed the Kyrie Irving-Dion Waiters locker room brawl. So everyone talks around the league.

http://deadspin.com/heres-the-full-racist-scouting-report-on-luol-deng-1634118894

[TrueBlueGED]

There's probably a reason Chicago didn't want to keep Byfuglien around, ya know?

 

Kane is gonna be a monster. He's the swagger this team desperately needs.

Maybe you're right on Byfuglien, but my memory is trading him was a pure cap move.

[Eleven]

20+ and top line.  Production limited because a rookie will be on his line.

[bob_sauve28]

I think he will be the best forward on the team.

 

Really? Interesting. You think he will be better than Ryan Kessler? Is Jack Eichel better than Kessler? Just wondering sorry for the weird questions

[That Aud Smell]

Really? Interesting. You think he will be better than Ryan Kessler? Is Jack Eichel better than Kessler? Just wondering sorry for the weird questions

 

So confused. (I am.)

Edited June 5, 2015 by That Aud Smell

[Samson's Flow]

Next year Kane will be the best forward on the team. I am thinking something like 27 goals for him, but since that represents more of the total leaguewide scoring depression than my feelings for Kane, I voted top 3/30+. He will bring everything we as a fanbase have wanted from our star forward (namely Vanek) by being physical and dynamic as well as scoring goals.

 

 

Really? Interesting. You think he will be better than Ryan Kessler? Is Jack Eichel better than Kessler? Just wondering sorry for the weird questions

 

What does Ryan Kesler have anything to do with Kane or Eichel? You lost us bob...

[bob_sauve28]

 

 

 

 

What does Ryan Kesler have anything to do with Kane or Eichel? You lost us bob...

 

 

Kessler is just such an excellent player I was wondering if we have anyone that good on our team, or potentially that good. That's all

[WildCard]

Zemgus would e my Kessler comparison Bob. Strong two way player who's physical and can score 20 consistently

[Taro T]

He'll be the #1 LW, pot 25+, and eventually be a consistent near 40 goal scorer when whichever C they decide to team him w/ grows into his role.

[X. Benedict]

 

 

 

What does Ryan Kesler have anything to do with Kane or Eichel? You lost us bob...

 

 

Kessler is just such an excellent player I was wondering if we have anyone that good on our team, or potentially that good. That's all

 

I see them as very different players. Kessler is a great two way player, I see Kane as primarily an offensive zone threat. I think he could be a 25 g 20 assist guy in the coming year with better numbers in years to come. 

[sabresouth]

I voted 20+ top 6. I think he could do better than that if lines jell together well. I am a little concerned he may start slow since he's been out basically a year and a half.

I meant half of last season and then this off season. Still learning to get my thoughts strait.

[Bob Malooga]

I fully expect this kid to pot 40-50 goals at least twice. He is hungry. He is a very good, strong hockey player.

He is my new favorite hockey player, and I haven't seen him put on a Sabres jersey.

He's badass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4DD20hF530


 

[K8prisoner]

murray may be a genius if:

 

1 hes right about kane, if he was a thin skinned black kid who didnt have time for race crap and went from a hero to a villain from atlanta to peg...If tony mckegneys (sp) remarks about the good ole canada boys are still true in central canada compared to bc then  murray may have a home for a good competotor that would only be great after labeled as a   failure , that once  in a new environment with a real reason to prove the others wrong and maintain a chip and a focus... if the race thing has any credence he may ne an example for a kid like bailey to see a work ethic and shine in his 9 games this season or next... 

 

2 Stewart or some other fast and tough winger in free agency may complete a team that by mid year or earlier that has learned to compete for three periods.. clearly compared to winnepeg or minnesota who are both topped out in their progress, shedding everyone (aside from pomminvile) looks necessary as a difficult admission.. , free agebts may be lured here for that reason alone... one forward or  top 4 defensive spots to let the kids develope and take the pressure off.

 

Mainly I see kane serving the main purpose of being the story in buffalo and shielding eichel from pressure both on and off the ice, ... with a talented local bulldog in bogosian, i am seeing and liking murrays point of view... he really helps samson  and seems to avoid the not ready edmonton trap ...and give grigs a real shot to have a guy like gionta or a talented guy we aquire mentor him  if he is part of the plan or he will be gone with the draft to move up or acquire a guy like oreilly that only a team with money to burn can afford with a front loaded easy trade contract that acknowledges the fail rate of too many big egos..  On the surface , it loooks great if anyone truly steps up of the many new regulars and draft picks that may have the top fifteen getting real first year minutes.. it is certainley more intersting than watching the lame jets and minnesota flame out in the sabres that are no molre..  looks like win so far and im inclined to bet on kane for all these reasons..

Edited June 6, 2015 by K8prisoner

[K8prisoner]

Yummy.

self love like that can only succeed after at least one  unfair humbling and a little self reflection... any team that drafted him wouldve had the same problem and even worse going from atlanta to humbltown  hell for mr (formerly) flamboyent. he should be all hocke.y until we start wi ning  since its his team...hopefully it stay all hockey competing with character guys like gionta and even eichel... i like the mix

[Jeanbe]

... well that will make our female posters blush a bit

yes indeed.  :)

[Ogre]

I'm not worried about the shoulder surgery at all. I've had both of mine done and both are back at 100%. It just takes hard work. Potential off I've issue? Meh. Most people grow out of that stuff as they age. Kids fantastic on ice and that's all that matters to me.

[PromoTheRobot]

This may seem counterintuitive but ego is a good thing for star performers. You have to believe you can be the best.

[deluca67]

There's probably a reason Chicago didn't want to keep Byfuglien around, ya know? 

 

Kane is gonna be a monster. He's the swagger this team desperately needs. 

100% agree. When Jason Giambi was in Oakland he had a great qoute. "We play like all-stars, party like rocks and bang like porn stars." That is the level of confidence I want spilling from the Sabres locker room going forward. This isn't the 1970's and every fan in the arena isn't wearing suites and dresses. Let's toss that polite Canadian farm boy image we have know for too long and toss it in the trash.     

Edited June 7, 2015 by DeLuca1967

[darksabre]

This may seem counterintuitive but ego is a good thing for star performers. You have to believe you can be the best.

Yes. There's some kind of weird dislike of egotistical athletes going around this forum and I don't get it. Athletes, the truly competitive ones, have to believe they're the best and they posture and act accordingly.

 

Maybe it's a Buffalo thing? Maybe we don't like it when people talk big talk. I bet there's an inferiority complex in there somewhere.

100% agree. When Jason Giambi was in Oakland he great qoute. "We play like all-stars, party like rocks and bang like porn stars." That is the level of confidence I want spilling from the Sabres locker room going forward. This isn't the 1970's and every fan in the arena isn't wearing suites and dresses. Let's toss that polite Canadian farm boy image we have know for too long and toss it in the trash.

Absolutely. Let the humble grinder be the nice guy. I want my stars to be jerks.

[Kruppstahl]

No one here knows exactly what was going on in Winnipeg, and that's OK, as long as what happens in Winnipeg stays in Winnipeg.

 

Kane has a completely clean slate and a chance to start his young career over again in Buffalo.

 

What matters is what he shows us, how he behaves, and how he gels with his teammates in Buffalo going forward.

 

That process hasn't really started yet.  

 

His performance this upcoming year will be slightly stunted as the roster continues to grow and fill out and Kane familiarizes himself with a new city, a new life, and a new team.  I wouldn't try to analyze his game this upcoming season based on goals or points.  Watch how he plays the game, how he controls the puck, and how he seems to be fitting it or not fitting in with the roster.

 

This next season is still going to have some of Darcy's "pain" in it.