(670 The Score) Beloved color commentator Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Blackhawks' broadcast booth to join the Kraken's after a breakdown in contract negotiations with Chicago, according to reports.
Olczyk's contract with the Blackhawks expired on June 30, and negotiations stalled, the Athletic reported Monday. It led the 55-year-old Olczyk to land with the Kraken's broadcast team, as the Sun-Times first reported.
A Chicago native, Olczyk was drafted by the Blackhawks in 1984 and played five seasons for the team. He has been the lead Blackhawks television analyst since 2006 and a popular figure for the franchise.
Olczyk has worked previously as the lead analyst for NHL broadcasts on NBC Sports and joined TNT's coverage last season.
Blackhawks director of broadcasting Trevor Bray began reaching out to former players Monday to gauge interest in replacing Olczyk, according to reports. Former Blackhawks players Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish are considered candidates for the position, the Athletic reported.
The Blackhawks named Chris Vosters as their new television play-by-play announcer after the recent retirement of Pat Foley.
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