Three months later, we hear from some Hawks.
While the 2-hour Zoom call didn't reveal anything too surprising o riveting, it was still nice to hear from Stan Bowman, Jeremy Colliton, Kane, DeBrainct, and Murphy.
Patrick Kane took the headlines over anything else said when it reinforced that there was still a lot of things to work out before the NHL official starts back up.
Patrick Kane said it's important to be cautious about the dates the NHL are announcing because the players have yet to agree to everything yet. He said the players want a fair deal and don't want to dive into anything.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) June 11, 2020
Kane is not trying to be a "Debbie Downer" as he put it, he's just trying to manage expectations.
He and the NHLPA need to understand the business side of this return-t-plan; how are they being compensated? Do the play-in games count as regular season? What about ESCROW?
I had concerns when I finally voiced my opinion on May 24th on the status and likelihood that the NHL returns this season.
I am excited about the prospect of hockey returning and I want to write articles as if I was certain it is. However, I do still have some doubts about how this is all going to shake out.
It was announced that July 10th is when training camp will begin. Let's hope that's the case and everything is worked out by then.
What else came out of the Bowman, Colliton, and Co. call? Here are a couple of tidbits: * Ian Mitchell – It looks like I may get my wish of Ian Mitchell NOT playing "this season". Nothing personal, Ian, I just don't want you to burn off a year of your contract for a couple of hockey games.
While it's not official, Stan Bowman didn't think Mitchell would be allowed to play. * Drake Caggiula and Adam Boqvist – These two will be ready to go for training camp.
* Calvin de Haan – The Hawks are expecting him to be ready for training camp. Nothing is certain there but sounds like a good possibility that de Haan joins the team on July 10th. * Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook, and Zack Smith – It looks like these three are unlikely to play in the 2019-20 season. Brent Seabrook for sure will be out. Bowman said they are still evaluated Shaw and Smith, but by the sounds of it, neither are likely to play.
* John McDonough – This is the first time since McDonough was let go that the GM, Coach, and players spoke. All had very great things to say about the former President and CEO. Patrick Kane specifically had some strong words saying that he had some tough conversations with John, but ultimately it was McDonough who helped him grow up and mature during his time in Chicago.
-- That all I have for now.
Stay healthy and see ya out there!
TC