Here Is Why I Would Classify How The Blackhawks Handled Patrick Kane's Situation As A "Force Out" And Why That Was A Mistake
I had many people tweeting, texting, and DMing me about the Emily Kaplan pregame report on Saturday's broadcast of the Rangers-Bruins game. I texted her because I wanted to make sure I didn't unnecessarily get angry, misquote her, and set off a fire storm. Here is what she said to me about what she said.
"It wasn't like Kane was dying to get out of Chicago. When it became apparent that the Blackhawks didn't want to re-sign him this summer he figured he would look for a chance to win this year rather than putting it off for a few months"--Emily Kaplan
This quote Kaplan gave pre-game lines up with messages I received from two of his former teammates (none from this year's team to be clear), an agent, and a former NHL executive. Patrick Kane is a Ranger because the Blackhawks didn't want him.
If Davidson in his heart of hearts felt that the organization would be better off without Kane going forward, then he has an obligation to do the job that he was hired to do and move on. Now, I do NOT agree with that assessment and I will get into that later, but it is Davidson's job to make roster decisions going forward.
What pissed me off is this whole notion that the Blackhawks are trying to do right by Patrick Kane and that they're the good guys in this. They didn't and they're not. IF it is true that they made it clear that there wasn't a spot for him next year in Chicago then he is forced to move on.
Kane: "I think I want to stay and re-sign"
Davidson: "You can stay. You have a full NMC, but yeah, um…sorry. I don't think we will make an offer on July 1st"
Kane: "Trade me to the Rangers then I guess"
How anyone could perceive that scenario as anything besides a force out is beyond me. That is EXACTLY what it is. It appears that management wanted to wash away any memory of the Golden Era away like it was sidewalk chalk in the rain. 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. He can certainly look down the bench and understand that it isn't anywhere near the top of the league nor does it resemble ANYTHING close to the teams the Hawks had from 2009-16. It sounds like he was more than open to sticking it out, finishing his career here, being a leader, a mentor, and smashing every Blackhawks record. All indications are that is what he wanted and what he would chosen if that option was on the table. It wasn't until the organization made it clear that an offer wasn't coming that he decided to waive the no-movement clause. Maybe that is wrong, but that is what it looks like at this moment.
This is a guy who has been a GREAT teammate and a good citizen for the entirety of his 8 year contract. 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. Then when the organization fully committed to the rebuild by getting rid of his two best friends and linemates, Debrincat and Strome, he sucked it up and showed up to work every night and continued his role as alpha, face of the franchise, and mentor. The mentoring thing something he never got credit for. He has been doing that role for years. Inviting young players like Hartman, Hinostroza, Schmaltz, and Debrincat to train with him and his personal skills coach in the offseason. As the Blackhawks bring in Reichel, Nazar, and the rest of the cavalry coming from the prospect pool, there is no doubt that Patrick Kane would continue and thrive in that roll.
This is not a financial issue whatsoever either. Re-signing Patrick Kane in NO way negatively impacts the salary cap for the rebuild. In fact, as things stand right now, the Blackhawks are going to need to spend a good amount on veteran players just to get up to the cap floor. 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.
Also, having Patrick Kane isn't necessarily going to translate into more wins in the short-term (More short-term wins = bad. We all are on the same page there). You know how I know that? Well, the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2017. He's been on this team all year and they're one of the very worst teams in the league. He would provide leadership, excitement, and a reason to go to the United Center or watch on TV.
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. The Blackhawks have done a VERY good job accumulating assets in the next several years and they're the first to tell you if you click on their social media accounts
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Let's be honest, the return the Blackhawks got for Patrick Kane isn't going to make or break the rebuild. There's no way you can look people in the eye and say that a 2nd round pick is going to be more valuable than Patrick Kane would be for the next 3-4 years. EVERYONE knows that isn't the case.
So…if Kane DOESN'T screw up the rebuild, he IS a great teammate and mentor, and he wouldn't negatively impact the team's financials then WHY WASN'T A CONTRACT EXTENSION ON THE TABLE!?!?
THAT is what the organization has to explain. And Davidson, if it was his solely his decision (starting to think maybe it wasn't), should get up and explain why with his chest. No sidewalk chalk, no social media posts, no highlight video tributes, no bullshit. Get in front of the fans and tells us the logic behind moving on from the greatest player this organization has ever had.
Maybe he has a good reason. If he does, then he should be proud to say it. We haven't gotten that though. This feels like more of the same from this current regime, which too closely resembles the previous regime in many MANY ways. They forced out Foley, then they dicked around Edzo by offering him a 2 year deal initially saying that they wanted to line up his contract with the Comcast NBC-Chicago TV deal even though they had signed Colby Cohen the year before and Vosters just months before to 5 year deals. And now Kane with no deal in the summer.
For a variety of reasons that stretch back to at least the 1990s, this organization has ZERO trust equity built with the fans. None. 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. Stop saying you're trying to do right by Kane when the actual right thing to do for him and the organization would be to bring him back and let him finish his career here. He has earned it over the last 8 years and he'd still help the long-term vision of the organization. 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. Well for every one of those kids there probably a 100,000 that will be selling mortgages or insurance that'll be spending their discretionary income on hockey. The Blackhawks will be able to cash in on the fans Kane created for the next 50 years as kids who are 17 now will be buying tickets, merch, and watching a sport on TV that they wouldn't have given a fuck about the Blackhawks if Patrick Kane wasn't drafted by Dale Tallon 16 years ago. Not being aware of that fact shows a fundamental lack of understanding and appreciation for your consumers.
I am angry with the organization, yet again, which is so disappointing because I have bought in on the direction. 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. They'll need lottery luck to get to the elite level, but they're adding the type of players to the system that will be fun and get you to the playoffs.
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. Now, they pushed away the one player who we truly enjoyed watching and cheering for with zero obvious, tangible, upside to trading him. Anyone who disagrees doesn't understand hockey or what it is like to be a fan.