BLOG: Manning on why he chose Chicago

Brandon Manning agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on the opening day of the free agency signing period.
The defenseman had other options, but after speaking with the club's brass, Manning knew what he had to do.
"I think early on when (free agency) opened up we had a conversation with Nashville," Manning said. "I had a pretty good relationship with (Peter) Laviolette and Kevin McCarthy there who were my first couple of coaches in Philadelphia. Chicago reached out right at the end of the week and I had a conversation with Mr. (Joel) Quenneville and (Stan) Bowman over the last couple of days, which probably put me over the top in thinking about Chicago and the opportunity there with just how great of an organization it is.