Looking to learn from controversies

What Blackhawks president John McDonough hopes is for the organization to learn from the controversies that have surfaced one after another this off-season.

The Hawks have been in the news nearly every week since the end of the season, and not in a positive way, starting with the late delivery of qualifying contract offers to their restricted free agents and continuing with Dale Tallon's demotion as general manager, Marian Hossa's shoulder surgery, the NHL's investigation into Hossa's 12-year, $62.8 million contract and Patrick Kane's arrest Sunday.

"We can do a better job managing our business, there's no doubt about that," McDonough said. "But I'm really proud of our team. I'm proud of our organization. Once we do get to training camp and we get on the ice and it's all about the team and all of these other things subside, I think we're all going to be in a better place.

"I don't think anybody is comfortable with change at face value," McDonough added. "When you make change, especially when you make change in the face of success, it's difficult for people to understand that.

"So I completely recognize why this has been a difficult summer with some of the decisions or curiosity of some of the other issues that have come up."

McDonough said there was nothing new to report on the investigation into Hossa's contract and whether the Hawks tried to circumvent the NHL's salary cap with the length of the deal.

"I haven't heard anything back," McDonough said. "From what I understand it's part of the process. I will tell you this: I have great respect for (Commissioner) Gary Bettman and (deputy commissioner) Bill Daly and how they run the league. I'm sure in due time we'll find out where we go."

McDonough said he was neither angry nor surprised when the league decided to review Hossa's contract a month after approving it.

"I think I'm at the point now where not much surprises me," McDonough said. "It's just another learning experience."