Eddie Olczyk is reportedly leaving the Chicago Blackhawks television booth, a position he’s held for more than 15 years, after contract negotiations with NBC Sports Chicago have broken down. Olczyk’s contract expired on June 30th, and negotiations stalled from there.
According to a report from The Chicago Sun-Times, the 55-year-old is joining the TV booth for the second-year Seattle Kraken on ROOT Sports Seattle.
The former Blackhawk has served as a national TV analyst with both NBCSN and TNT’s coverage, and will continue as TNT’s lead game analyst, while also joining the Kraken’s TV broadcast.
A report from The Athletic suggests former Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish are considered candidates for the vacant position Olczyk is leaving.
The departure of the Chicago native Olczyk, who was drafted 3rd overall by the club in 1984, completes an overhaul of the Blackhawks television booth after the retirement of longtime announcer Pat Foley, who completed his final season with the club in 2022. He’ll be replaced by 30-year-old Chris Vosters.
