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Eddie olczyk3/21/2023 And Olczyk - a local institution, a Chicago-born fan favorite and probably the most-recognized voice in the sport - is long past the point of bridge contracts. From what I understand, there was at least one contract offer made to Olczyk, but it was a short-term deal, likely two years. Olczyk’s contract expired June 30, which seems to have become an annual day of blood-letting for the Blackhawks. But as is so often the case with contract negotiations, it’s the details that were the issue. Lazerus: I know two things: Olczyk didn’t want to leave, and the Blackhawks didn’t want him to leave. ![]() But it sounds like the Blackhawks and Eddie had a major communication issue here that will end this long, fruitful relationship for both parties. Eventually, Eddie O will retire or move on to a fully national role, so the timing makes sense to try out a whole new team, if he said no. I can see the future-facing point of view here from the Hawks leadership. It wasn’t a “We love you Eddie!” kind of contract offer, though not a “Please quit” offer, either. From what we know, the Hawks offered Eddie a short-term, multi-year deal with a pay cut based on games he will miss for national broadcasts. Greenberg: How did this happen and why? The quality of the Blackhawks broadcast is going to suffer, and this further hurts the team’s relationship with its fans. The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg and Mark Lazerus go tape-to-tape to discuss it. But I just felt like I needed to take a step back and pursue other opportunities that presented itself." But Chicago is home, it’ll always be home. Olczyk to me: "It was not an easy decision. ![]() ![]() How did this happen? What does it all mean?Įddie Olczyk has agreed to a contract with the Seattle Kraken. Olczyk will be part of the Seattle Kraken’s broadcast team next season. The Chicago-born-and-bred broadcaster has been calling Blackhawks games since 2006 but will follow longtime partner Pat Foley out the door after the two sides failed to get a contract extension signed. As hard as it is to imagine the Blackhawks without Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, it’s even harder to imagine them without Eddie Olczyk.
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