Blackhawks “blindsided” by Olczyk's decision to leave for another NHL team

Longtime Chicago Blackhawks personality Ed Olczyk has left the the team's broadcasting crew in favor of a new broadcasting job with the Seattle Kraken.

Sources say that the Blackhawks were "blindsided" by the news that Olczyk wouldn't be returning and in fact had a multi-year contract off on the table to bring him back long-term.

From The Athletic's Mark Lazerus:

"A team source said Blackhawks leadership was “blindsided” by the news once it was published by The Athletic. The source said the Blackhawks had offered a “multi-year contract extension” and believed they had a verbal agreement “weeks ago.” The deal offered Olczyk a higher rate on a per-game basis but did not include all 82 games, because of Olczyk’s national duties with TNT and NBC’s horse-racing coverage."

- Mark Lazerus

Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Times reports that the Blackhawks simply wouldn't give Olczyk the same term that the Kraken were offering. It's also worth noting that Olczyk will remain on staff with TNT for national broadcasts and will cover the Kraken regionally for ROOT Sports in Washington state.

He had been a member of the Blackhawks' broadcast staff since 2006, but his history with the team goes back much further. He was drafted 3rd overall by his hometown Blackhawks back in 1984 and is one of the most beloved figures in team history. Suffice it to say that Blackhawks fans are NOT happy that the team has let their beloved Eddie O move on to greener pastures.