Here is what she said to me about what she said.
“It wasn’t like Kane was dying to get out of Chicago.
Patrick Kane is a Ranger because the Blackhawks didn’t want him.
They didn’t and they’re not.
You have a full NMC, but yeah, um…sorry.
That is EXACTLY what it is.
That is the only explanation for how the organization handled this.
Patrick Kane CLEARLY understands that the Blackhawks are in a rebuild and has been a good soldier.
He is a hockey nerd.
He watches everyone in the league.
Maybe that is wrong, but that is what it looks like at this moment.
He didn’t throw a fit when they traded his soulmate, Artemi Panain.
He didn’t complain about the fact that the organization NEVER gave him a center to play with.
When Bowman hired a complete neophyte head coach, Kane supported him publicly even though it was a disaster.
The mentoring thing something he never got credit for.
He has been doing that role for years.
This is not a financial issue whatsoever either.
Re-signing Patrick Kane in NO way negatively impacts the salary cap for the rebuild.
You could sign Patrick Kane to a 1 year 15 million dollar deal and it wouldn’t hurt anything.
Not that they should do that, but they could.
We all are on the same page there).
You know how I know that?
Well, the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017.
The Blackhawks didn’t exactly get a HAUL for Patrick Kane either.
A draft pick that will come sometime between now and 2025 and will likely be anywhere from 18th-50something overall.
EVERYONE knows that isn’t the case.
THAT is what the organization has to explain.
No sidewalk chalk, no social media posts, no highlight video tributes, no bullshit.
Maybe he has a good reason.
If he does, then he should be proud to say it.
We haven’t gotten that though.
And now Kane with no deal in the summer.
Personally, I think it is the worst since Rocky took over.
It’s a shame.
I LOVE this team.
I like Danny Wirtz.
I am, however, tired of every organizational decision being treated like the nuclear codes.
Stop doing things for optics.
He’s different than 19, 7, and 2.
Kane inspired a generation.
He created a fan base and resurrected a market that was beyond dead.
You always hear on draft day that every kid’s favorite player growing up was Patrick Kane.
Not being aware of that fact shows a fundamental lack of understanding and appreciation for your consumers.
I’ve liked what the Hockey Ops department is doing, philosophically.
Big, mobile defensemen and fast, smart, hard-working forwards who have a high floor.
That, to me, is actually the best way to build a team that can compete consistently.
It does feel like the organization doesn’t care about the fans.
They unnecessarily and prematurely dismantled one of the best broadcast crews in all of sports.
Anyone who disagrees doesn’t understand hockey or what it is like to be a fan.
