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In my day job, I make presentations and work with clients on the best way to deliver their messages to a variety of audiences.
As a blogger, I've covered the NHL team that's perhaps best at producing and controlling a message for nearly 7 years now.
What we saw yesterday at Notre Dame was embarrassing, uncomfortable, and certainly an off-day for the franchise. But what really happened and why?
First, why was Patrick Kane there at all?
It's fairly clear that without being charged with a crime in the matter in Western New York, and without the league suspending Kane, the Hawks' hands were tied. They had to allow Kane to attend camp.
It was my information yesterday, via two sources, that the team had been hoping yesterday that either the matter would be resolved or Kane would voluntarily take a leave of absence.
Whether that information is reliable or not, neither thing happened. And the Hawks, evidenced by Team President John McDonough's dour countenance, did not look terribly pleased—once the presser started about a half hour late.
Kane's agent, Pat Brisson, had promised Kane would explain matters in his statement.
He didn't.
Kane, for his part, came out looking upset and frightened. Clearly, all parties were counseled to "appreciate" any question regarding the legal matter, but not answer them. Kane read a statement, deflected some questions, then left.
McDonough then immediately read a statement that essentially said the Blackhawks have enjoyed such success over the last 7 seasons because they make decisions deliberately and patiently, they adapt well to change, develop talent well, and maintain a culture of consistency and responsibility.
Some might feel those were just words. But anyone understanding the choreography of press events, as the Hawks certainly do, know those words had something to do with the $84 million investment that had just left the room.
Rightly or wrongly, Kane was introduced to the media in order to relieve some press pressure—make a statement, deflect some questions and leave. Why? So the matter could then subside as a focal point of press coverage. That was the plan. Did it go well? No.
McDonough was pressed by a Buffalo reporter, asking him why the team would behave in a tone deaf manner. This triggered McDonough's ego and he responded by excoriating the reporter—"I am anything but tone deaf."
I have not been a huge McDonough supporter over the years. But you have to feel for him here. Sure, he should not have taken or responded to the question personally. But he is in a tough, tough position. And the Hawks did their best to handle it.
Kane, meanwhile made some strategically questionable statements about his innocence, took middling responsibility, and seemed to smirk at one reporter's question about whether or not he would quit drinking—when alcohol has been at the root of incidents that have plagued Kane's public persona for the past 6 seasons.
This press conference smacked of something that was not well-prepared, and perhaps further evidence of that was the very late start.
There is a cross-section of Hawk fans that holds on, with a vise-like death grip, to the notion that everyone is to blame for this matter expect Patrick Kane.
In fact, McDonough, the "Dark Overlord" of Marketing and Message, is a victim here. As are GM Stan Bowman, whose hands have been essentially tied by the uncertainty surrounding this incident, Head Coach Joel Quenneville and the Hawks' players, not to mention the fans.
The fact is, no one knows much here, except that this incident has ruined the summer following the Hawks' third, dynasty-defining Cup. It is a gigantic distraction. And it's not over.
Everyone wants it to end. Some with Kane's complete exoneration. Some with Kane paying a legal price. Even though no one knows what actually happened. And to some, what actually happened doesn't matter—as long as Kane doesn't play for the Blackhawks again—or if he does, that he shows some real responsibility for a pattern of poor choices in his personal life.
So buckle your seat belts. Patrick Kane is at Notre Dame and with the Hawks, for now. But evidence suggests that could change, one way or the other.
On more than one occasion, McDonough and Bowman promised that more questions would be answered at some point in the future. Maybe that press conference will go better than this one did.
All for now,
JJ