On Monday, Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz shocked Hawks nation when he announced that John McDonough had been relieved of his duties as president and CEO of the franchise.
McDonough had served as president of the team since 2007 and added the title of CEO in 2011.
Wirtz named his son, Daniel, 43, the team’s interim president as they search for a new leader.
So what does the move mean for senior vice president and general manager Stan Bowman?
First and foremost, it means that what Rocky told The Athletic five weeks ago about not making any changes to the front office no longer applies. Whether discussions behind closed doors are what changed his mind, or the lengthening of the NHL pause and an uncertain future due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all bets are off now.
With McDonough gone, more change is on the table. It's yet to be seen if an overhaul is taking shape, or if it was just one swift move during a break in the action.
NHL
Just because McDonough was let go doesn't mean that Bowman will be, but it could happen.
The GM (since July of 2009) played a major role in landing the supporting talent who helped core players like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane grab Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015, but it came at the price of awarding a couple lengthy, costly contracts and shipping away some promising players. The Hawks have also been left with a gap between the talent and experience of newcomers compared to veterans.
Prior to the pause, the Blackhawks were on the brink of elimination from playoff contention for the third straight year. If the team's ownership group is looking for more of an on-ice product change to go with the business-side one made Monday, that could impact Bowman's future, as well.
The pause, which has been a time of reflection and contemplation for many, may be just that for the Blackhawks. Time will tell how much action will result from it.
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