The recent failures of the Blackhawks are a result of years of ineptitude by an organization whose business sense is frozen in the 1970s. The Hawks of the early ’90s had a real shot at a championship but failed in the playoffs because the organization was satisfied with profitable regular seasons and wouldn’t add one or two key players. Owner Bill Wirtz is very happy with his “circle of profitability”–ticket sales plus food and beer plus United Center usage plus parking, etc.–so what motivation is there for the richest team in hockey to spend extra money to ensure a winner?
There is none for Dollar Bill Wirtz, and the future bodes more of the same. The team’s stars are older (Chris Chelios) or ineffective (Alex Zhamnov), and now they have to rebuild with young, unproven players. This season’s results are an example of money over good hockey sense.
