Blackhawks fans want team execs like McDonough to be accountable for recent down yearsGETTY IMAGES
Blackhawks Chair Rocky Wirtz said there is "not going to be any changes" to the team's front office for next season, according to Scott Powers of THE ATHLETIC. Fans' "displeasure with the state of the franchise has grown over the last few years," and they have "become more vocal about wanting change." Fans want Blackhawks President John McDonough, Senior VP & GM Stan Bowman and coach Jeremy Colliton "to be held accountable." Bowman is under contract through the '20-21 season, and while there was "speculation that Bowman received another extension last summer," no one has "confirmed nor denied it." Wirtz said if he was not confident in the triumvirate of McDonough, Bowman and Colliton, they "wouldn't be employed." Wirtz: "I'm very confident." Meanwhile, Wirtz also has "closely paid attention to how Blackhawks fans have continued to pack the United Center despite their lack of success" in recent years. The team registered its 467th consecutive sellout in their last game on March 11, and Wirtz "doesn't take that for granted." Wirtz: "It means we have damn good fans" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/19).
KEEPING STATUS QUO: In Chicago, Ben Pope writes the news that McDonough, Bowman and Colliton will all be returning next season "surely will upset a large portion of the fan base," which had "soured somewhat on Colliton and greatly on Bowman in recent months." Bowman at this point has "inseparably bonded himself with the retooling approach," and if Blackhawks ownership is "happy with that structure, there's no reason to part ways with Bowman." By keeping Bowman, Wirtz ensures the Blackhawks "will stay the course, retain their aging (though still productive) core and seek to improve via short-term tinkering instead of tearing it down" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/20).
NOT ALL BAD: THE ATHLETIC's Mark Lazerus in regard to Bowman wrote, "I see five straight years of failure ... and cap mismanagement and wonder how long a leash a general manager can reasonably have." Lazerus: "But I also see a terrific track record in the draft." The "same goes for undrafted free agents out of Europe." Lazerus: "I see all of that and wonder why everyone's calling for Bowman's head" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/20).
