Ed Olczyk Believes in Blackhawks' Management, Criticizes Martin Havlat

There have been some huge stories during the NHL offseason. Many of them have involved the Chicago Blackhawks.

With that in mind, FanHouse recently caught up with Comcast SportsNet Chicago analyst Ed Olczyk -- perhaps better known for his work as a main analyst for Versus and NBC -- to get his take on all the changes happening in the Windy City. Olczyk was born in Illinois, played part of his career for the Blackhawks, and still has some very strong feelings about the team, not to mention the state of affairs in the NHL.

Overall, Olczyk said he was somewhat surprised to see teams spending as much as they have this offseason, especially with the salary cap expected to fall some in 2010-2011.

"Teams don't have issues this upcoming season," Olczyk said. "It's the next one. To a certain extent, I am surprised with some teams' spending. I'm surprised that it's happened."

When it comes to contracts like the 12-year deal the Blackhawks gave to forward Marian Hossa, Olczyk likened it to "circumventing the rules."

"If you think a player is only going to play a certain number of years, you stretch the deal out. The only players I would even consider giving past eight years would be difference-makers, the guys who will be your cornerstone captains. If you make a mistake, it could be costly down the line."

Hossa did recently have shoulder surgery, which could jeopardize his ability to start the season. However, Olczyk believes there could be a silver lining in a brief Hossa absence this season."To be firing out the door, whether he was misinformed or not, he's in Minnesota now. Don't worry about what's going on here." -- Ed Olczyk on Martin Havlat

"He's played 198 games or so over the last two seasons," he said of Hossa. "I think it could be a very good thing for him. How he's going to be able to jump in and mesh, it's kind of like getting him through a trade.

"Hossa's a world-class player, a consistent threat with or without the puck."

Olczyk expressed confidence that Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville would handle the situation well.

FanHouse's Adam Gretz has been counting down the NHL's top 50 players. One of the many very tough decisions he had to make was selecting Patrick Kane of Chicago over captain Jonathan Toews. When asked to compare the two, Olczyk said it was very difficult.

"Right now, it's Jonathan Toews," Olczyk said. "You have to look at the big picture. It's two different styles. The center versus the wing. The better goal scorer and the better playmaker. It's very, very close."

There has been controversy this offseason regarding the departure of forward Martin Havlat, who bolted for Minnesota in free agency, then criticized the direction of the organization as the Blackhawks fired general manager Dale Tallon. Olczyk was quick to defend the club, going on a Chicago radio show to fire back at Havlat. When asked by FanHouse about Havlat, Olczyk measured words carefully, but was not shy in his thoughts.

"I guess there really was no need for him to talk about anything negative," the former coach-turned-top-analyst said. "He could have chosen to sign a one-year deal here and did not. He got a great deal in free agency.

"To be firing out the door, whether he was misinformed or not, he's in Minnesota now. Don't worry about what's going on here."

Olczyk praised the work of team president John McDonough, who has helped resurrect the Blackhawks.

"Under this regime in Chicago, everything's been done with one goal in mind: winning the Stanley Cup. Selling the product 24/7, evaluating. The Blackhawks are relevant in this city for the first time in 15 years."

Olczyk became the lead game analyst for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2006, while also joining up with Hall of Famer Mike Emrick on NBC. Working for Comcast SportsNet Chicago means Olczyk can work with veteran Blackhawks voice Pat Foley. It's a thrill for Olczyk, who says he listened to Foley growing up, and then had the fortune of Foley calling his games while he played for the Blackhawks.

While Olczyk didn't want to compare Foley with Emrick, he knows he's in a good position.

"I'm lucky to be able to work with two Hall of Famers," Olczyk said.

One of the great experiences every year for Olczyk is to work the NBC broadcast of the Winter Classic each New Year's Day. While it's a great event to take part in, there is another side to preparing for such a broadcast. That's because the broadcast platform that is set up for the Winter Classic does not offer the broadcasters any protection from the elements.

"The advantage of being a part of the game is being so close and being in the elements," Olczyk said. "Preparing is mental with the conditions. It's all off of memory. It's all about the game. It's an event. It's a celebration of the greatest game in the world."