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McDonough proud of Kane’s progress

Blackhawks president John McDonough, quiet and in the background for much of the season, held an impromptu news conference with reporters during practice Saturday, touching on a number of issues regarding his team.

For starters, McDonough said the club has no problem with Patrick Kane’s lifestyle away from the rink.

“We’re concerned about all our players,” McDonough said. “We talk to our players collectively. Our players’ profiles are sky high and it’s really grown over the last few years.

“I’m very proud of Patrick and very proud of the progress he’s made and we’re continuing to work with all of our guys. He’s a young kid, he’s a very social kid, but I think he’s very aware and he understand of the importance of being a Chicago Blackhawk and what that means. I continue to be very proud of him and thrilled he’s a Chicago Blackhawk.

As far as making the playoffs, McDonough agreed that it’s crucial to qualify for the Stanley Cup tournament in order to keep the organization’s momentum going in the city.

“I think it’s very important, and not just because we’re coming off a Stanley Cup championship. We’ve said that’s what our goal is every year,” McDonough said. “I think maybe the NHL, more than any other sport, just if you get in you’ve got a legitimate chance.”

McDonough admitted he expected some bumps in the road this season with such a large roster turnover.

“It’s hard for me to say it’s what I thought it would be,” McDonough said. “I knew it would be a bit of a bumpy ride going forward with as many new players that you were transitioning into the entire mix.

“But when you go through that adversity it also provides opportunity for some other players that maybe this is the first year with the team to make a statement on their careers, and I’m proud of them.

“It’s a different journey at hand right now and we recognize what we need to do going forward.”

McDonough spoke on the day the Hawks were putting the finishing touches on a five-year contract extension for defenseman Brent Seabrook.

“He’s a solid defenseman, a guy who came through our system, was drafted and developed, and it’s another player that wants to play in Chicago and wants to play with this franchise,” McDonough said. “We’ve talked before about this being a destination that maybe in the past it hadn’t been as much as it is now.”