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Thoughts on where the Blackhawks go from here |
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There has been more information and assumptions coming out since the firing of John McDonough.
I didn't offer my opinion on McDonough yet, so before we breakdown what might have happened, let me share my thoughts.
I have always thought John McDonough was a great marketing mind. The Blackhawks were a mess – and sure he benefited greatly from superstars that were just joining the organization – this is still a results-driven business.
John McDonough, by all accounts, was a difficult man to work with, however, he brought the Hawks back to relevancy in the biggest way possible.
The fan convention, Winter Classic games, and increasing the nationally televised games are the big events and marketing strategies that McDonough thrived on.
However, I think the most valuable element that he brought to the organization is that he changed the entire culture.
When he showed up, there was no receptionist, the players' travel and accommodation set up was just a step above a minor league team… heck, they didn't even have team bags.
He put a stop to that right away and made the players feel like rockstars. He (eventually) made Chicago a destination for big free agents, like Brian Campbell and Marian Hossa.
Think about it from a normal work environment; I know personally, one of the biggest things I look for and appreciate in a company is the culture.
It boosts morale and elevates people to greater heights and I think that is an intangible that, while we can't put a quantifiable amount too, did contribute to the Hawks Stanley Cups and their success in his tenure in Chicago.
McDonough went out on a high note with this message posted through the Blackhawks twitter page:
That's the good.
However, I also don't believe that John McDonough is a guy that I would want to work directly under. While he made the organization feel like a real NHL team with those changes above, he also was deemed a tyrant and that act usually grows old.
I believe it was time for John to go. It was probably time for him to go a couple of years ago based on some information that is coming out about him that I will have below, but as I said, it's a results-driven business, and McDonough did a lot and had a long leash.
Now, let's see what others are saying about him and the situation:
Elliotte Friedman, HNIC/Sportsnet – Let's start with Elliotte and his thoughts from his 31 Thoughts article this week:
I have a saying when looking into a story: "What don't I know?" When it comes to Chicago's decision to fire John McDonough after a hugely successful run as president and CEO, I'll admit there's a lot I don't know. But here's what I can share: The best source I've spoken to said simply, "It was time."
From a fan's standpoint, the biggest question is what this will mean for the hockey department. The most honest thing I can say is that it's probably too soon to know. It is believed GM Stan Bowman was given an extension last summer, but there are staffers with expiring contracts.
My sense is the Blackhawks would like to let the dust settle from the stunning announcement — see what options emerge for a successor before making those decisions. Will the next president and CEO have the same power, or will the business/hockey operations be split, as other teams have done? They know their employees are shocked, and my guess is they will plot carefully.
It won't surprise you to know there is a ton of interest in the position. The Blackhawks have morphed from zombie-like to a colossus. Danny Wirtz was named as the interim president. Will they promote from within? There are candidates, but will a few of them — including executive VP Jay Blunk, senior VP of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, maybe even Bowman himself — be seen as too close to McDonough? Another name mentioned is VP of marketing Peter Hassen, who pre-dates McDonough's arrival. We'll see where it goes.
Jay Zawaski, The Score 670/Madhouse Hockey Podcast/Locked On Blackhawks Podcast – Jay has been chatting to his sources and try to piece this thing together as well.
A couple of interesting things that he's heard (and I'm paraphrasing):
* According to some working for John McDonough, he was a tyrant and would only let you wear a white or a blue collared dress shirt.
* In the past few years, McDonough starting to meddle more and more into the hockey ops said of things; he apparently nixed a deal that would have included Marian Hossa with Niklas Hjalmarsson for Connor Murphy (+ … he didn't know the specific return).
* Stan Bowman was also recently forced to put most of his initial hockey ops decisions through Al MacIsaac, who would then take that to John McDonough for approval (with his personal thoughts, I'm sure).
* Also heard the name Peter Hassan as a possible candidate to be promoted from within.
It was also McDonough's decision to call up Adam Boqvist early this year.
John Jaeckel, The-Rink.com – JJ and the guys chatted on a vod/podcast this week about the McDonough situation. JJ's theory was that maybe Rocky had told John McDonough that he was considering separating the hockey ops and business ops into two positions and wanted John to stick to business/marketing.
Scott Powers, The Athletic – Powers on what he's hearing on the situation:
There is internal speculation that the decision to fire McDonough had more to do with business decisions than hockey ones, and there may be no upcoming changes in hockey operations because of that. It's one thing for Wirtz to change his mind on supporting McDonough after stating he had full confidence in him last month, but it'd be another if he also turned on everyone else he said would be returning next season. The next team president may have the final call on Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton's fates, but both appear to be secure in their jobs right now.
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Here are just a few tidbits from around the world wide web. What did everyone on my Twitter poll think was going to happen next?
Well, the majority of you think that the next President of the Hawks will be "other" as in, not Danny Wirtz or Stan Bowman.
There were some names like Eddie O., Chris Chelios, and Mark Hunter as suggested replacements.
Why did my poll just say "President" and not "CEO and President"?
Well, it's because of what I personally think is going to happen. This is my prediction:
I think there could be something to what John Jaeckel said on The-Rink podcast the other day. I'm not sure if it was specifically asked off John McDonough that he needed to split his role into business and hockey ops but I think it's the way the Blackhawks wanted to go.
The whole, Bowman to MacIsaac to McD and back down the chain of command to make a hockey decision is ridiculous if true.
The Blackhawks – in this regime – have tended to be slow to make decisions and this is exactly why with a set up like this.
I believe the Blackhawks will bring in a President of Hockey Ops as the Leafs did with Brendan Shannahan years ago.
This person will be a great hockey mind and name (for the buzz of it all, but I do believe they will get a great person in this role).
Then the President of Hockey Ops will then decide the fate of Bowman and Colliton. Until I know who that is, I won't speculate on the GM and Coach, however, I would be nervous if I were them.
I think this President should be from outside the organization to offer a "new mindset" that Rocky was talking about.
Then the Hawks will leave Danny Wirtz or hire someone like Peter Hassan to take over as the CEO role to oversee all business, marketing, etc., keeping the roles very separate.
That's what I think as we stand today.
I know people have been tossing out names for possible replacements, so I might jump into that as well as it's going to be a vital hire – possibly one of the biggest additions in the past 15 years for Chicago.
I will have a blog next week on some names of interest for the President of Hockey Ops role.
What are your thoughts?
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Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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