Brett Hull, we hardly knew ye.
The Blackhawks readily admit that letting Bobby Hull escape to the rival World Hockey Association was a terrible mistake, probably their worst of many. But a quarter-century later, here was son Brett, available and eager to score here.
Alas, now the Hawks have lost the most exciting player they ever had and the most exciting player they never had. In public relations, this franchise is a serial bungler.
Last season’s Hawks were so dreadful and so dull that their desperate fans had only one thing to look forward to, besides the final game. That was July 1, the day free agent Brett would collect his family, his 527 goals and head for the United Center, where he wanted to complete his career.
His arrival was not promised, only presumed. Discerning Hawks fans even took logic a step beyond. Brett Hull would be nice, but hardly sufficient to revive the sorriest hockey team here in decades. Why not Hull, Doug Gilmour, all of their linemates and a few of their neighbors too?
However, when July 1 passed without a Golden Brett moment, that confirmed whispers the deal had stalled and might even blow up. Now Hull indeed has gone to the marginally profitable Dallas Stars for less money than Gilmour received from the Hawks, who routinely turn one of the 10 best bottom lines in professional sports.
So it wasn’t money again? Yes and no. When the Hawks thought about trading for Hull last winter, they got an idea what it would take to keep him. However, as freedom neared his price went up. The Hawks might say that didn’t affect their position on Hull. Believe it if you must.
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Gilmour’s demands, however, also escalated as of July 1, and General Manager Bob Murray says when it became an either/or proposition instead of maybe both, the Hawks opted for the player who would “best help the hockey team,” not necessarily season-ticket sales.
Murray and his coaches had Gilmour ranked above Hull, a personnel evaluation that might be validated in time. Rest assured that management was fearful of buying Hull without also adding some other bodies the Hawks desperately need. A frustrated Hull can be an opinionated Hull.
Ask St. Louis. The Hawks have enough self-appointed executives in their dressing room. If $9 million could secure both Hull and Gilmour, maybe the Hawks would have tried both. But when the combination platter cost $12 million, Murray chose the big-ticket item that felt more comfortable.
Say this for the Hawks: They certainly aren’t interested in winning any popularity contests. Predictability is not their style, at least off the ice. Dollar Bill Wirtz will be accused of being a cheapskate, but think about that.
If you pay Alex Zhamnov $3 million per annum, are you really being stingy? Or just stupid? He joined the Hawks in exchange for Jeremy Roenick, a crowd favorite from the Hull school of free speech. But if Zhamnov was alive, they wouldn’t have to spend $18 million for a real No. 1 center.
To hear Wirtz last week, the Hawks had enough talent to make the playoffs, which is presumably why they gassed Craig Hartsburg. Yet although the coach is the least expensive/most important expenditure, the Hawks can’t ever seem to settle on the right man to juggle all their superbly gifted athletes. Fans won’t pay $75 a pop to watch Dirk Graham, unless the Hawks play as passionately as he once did. Brett Hull could have filled those empty seats on cue and with pizazz. But apparently we’ve returned to basics. The idea is that Gilmour shall fill the building the old-fashioned way, on merit.
Understand this about the Hawks: What seems to make sense doesn’t always attract their dollars. Remember, not televising home games is bad business. So was letting Bobby Hull escape to Winnipeg and son Brett go to Dallas.
“I just want to win a Stanley Cup,” Hull said.
In that case, Brett Hull absolutely made the correct move. Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to defy conventional wisdom more easily than they defy opponents. If only they were as difficult to figure out in January as they are in July.