Ben McDonald slams Blackhawks mid-Cubs broadcast and fans noticed

Ben McDonald seemingly made controversial comments regarding the Chicago Blackhawks' season opener on October 7th against the Florida Panthers. During a segment in an National League wild card game, McDonald and play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown promoted the upcoming matchup, and Brown indirectly asked McDonald if he would be tuning in. 

McDonald responded with, "There is zero chance I’ll be watching, I’m just gonna be honest with you."

On the surface, it's not the best way to promote the NHL's season-opening matchup on ESPN, and it was a comment that predictably sparked controversy. But don't worry, Blackhawks fans, McDonald clarified things in an interview on Thursday via Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, saying, “This was a joke. I respect the hockey players, I love them.

"It was not a bang on hockey at all. It was following up on a conversation we had before the game about what we are doing after this? I said I’m disappearing off the grid to hunt.”

There's no way Ben McDonald could tune into the Blackhawks-Panthers game

If you're going deep into the wilderness on a hunting trip and it coincides with the Blackhawks' season opener, there is no way you will tune into the game. And to be honest, when you spend the last six months in the broadcast booth, sports are probably the last thing on your mind when you get a break from work. The same holds true for Ben McDonald.

Plus, it's not like missing a few games would take anybody out of the loop in today's world. The second McDonald gets cell service again, he'll be all caught up on what he's missed, including the MLB Playoffs and that season-opening matchup between the Blackhawks and Panthers. 

As for the Hawks, they're probably not concerned about an MLB analyst choosing to go hunting over watching their season-opener. Chicago is hoping to look more watchable this season than they have been in nearly a half-decade, especially since it's the franchise's 100th season.

Their only concern is that the fans will keep coming to games and tuning in. And the more they show improvement this season, the more those who have sworn off them over the past few seasons will regain interest.

As for Ben McDonald? Maybe the Hawks will get so good that he'll start working his hunting trips around their nationally-televised games. But then again, if they're coinciding with time off for the first time in six months, he'll probably choose the vacation and tune out of all sports for a week.