REPORT: The Blackhawks Are #DONE With Bobby Hull And He Will No Longer Be A Team Ambassador

The Blackhawks have been using a lot of buzz words the last 6-12 months when it comes to how they're presenting themselves to the hockey community. "Redefine", "reimagine", "culture change", etc. Removing Bobby Hull as an official ambassador of the team is part of that. 

I imagine that it is very difficult and uncomfortable to distance yourself from the greatest/most important player in the history of the organization. Well now, it is easier because you can make an argument that Hull is now the 4th greatest/most important behind Kane, Toews, and Keith. Anyone who wants to bang on the table and say that Hull is better than those three will likely break their old brittle bones when banging that table. 

Bobby Hull is a myth. Grainy footage, the great nickname, the toothless grin, the alleged 118mph slapshot, the stats, the Cup. All of those things contributed to his legacy and place in the franchise. The problem is that the official record of behavior with the whispers of other inappropriate and uncomfortable behavior (at best) make it untenable to have him represent the organization in an official capacity. 

The Blackhawks needed a branding overhaul when Rocky Wirtz took over in 2008. The only thing the Hawks had to lean on was nostalgia so they brought back the legends. One last skate for Bobby Hull, Pierre Pilote, Stan Mikita, and Tony O. The need for those guys to lift up the franchise has passed, but so has the Blackhawks obligation to wrap their arms around Hull. 

They should leave the statue out front on Madison. Fans can tell his story. They can remember the myth, but also tell the story about the man. Time marches on, Hull marches out. It's a new era, and that is a good thing.