February 15, 2005

Blame the players?: Former players, that is. [a rehashing of the 'blame the owners' stance]

posted by garfield to hockey at 10:02 AM - 9 comments

Meanwhile, there's an agreement of sorts.

posted by jasonspaceman at 10:39 AM on February 15, 2005

here are some premature obituaries with a ending sentiment that sounds eeriely familiar to me: "Gary Bettman and the NHL owners have, by and large, gotten a pass from the media throughout the lockout. If the season goes down, that's apparently going to change."

posted by garfield at 01:58 PM on February 15, 2005

His assertion that ex-players aren't in NFL front offices needs to talk with Ozzie Newsom, Doug Williams and other All Pros.

posted by billsaysthis at 02:02 PM on February 15, 2005

there are exceptions to the generalization. but you get the idea, though; nostalgic figure heads, do not a good sports executive make...and the trend is very prevalent in the hockey world, mainly because of a percieved 'hockeyness' ex-players embody, which I somewhat respect mainly because of Bettman's glaring un-hockeyness.

posted by garfield at 02:34 PM on February 15, 2005

Former NHL players in GM positions: (italics indicates team won Stanley Cup with him as GM, though not necessarily with current team) Atlanta Thrashers - Don Waddell (only 1 NHL game!) Boston Bruins - Mike O'Connell Buffalo Sabres - Darcy Regier Calgary Flames - Darryl Sutter Carolina Hurricanes - Jim Rutherford Chicago Blackhawks - Bob Pulford Colorado Avalanche - Pierre Lacroix Detroit Red Wings - Ken Holland Edmonton Oilers - Kevin Lowe Los Angeles Kings - Dave Taylor Minnesota Wild - Doug Risebrough Montreal Canadiens - Bob Gainey New York Islanders - Mike Milbury New York Rangers - Glen Sather Philadelphia Flyers - Bobby Clarke Pittsburgh Penguins - Craig Patrick St. Louis Blues - Larry Pleau San Jose Sharks - Doug Wilson Washington Capitals - George McPhee

posted by grum@work at 07:10 PM on February 15, 2005

like the National Football League, where former players are not as highly valued in the front office I thought his point was the in the NHL it is the ex-players making management decisions and handing out ludicrous contracts that is the problem. I don't know enough about the NFL but I guessed from his statement that he was implying that ex-NFLers aren't the ones in management negotiating contracts with the players.

posted by gspm at 07:47 PM on February 15, 2005

grum -- you gotta slip some italics on Kenny Holland.

posted by holden at 10:38 PM on February 15, 2005

grum's list seems to show that there's little correlation between having an ex-player as gm and winning the cup.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:52 PM on February 15, 2005

grum -- you gotta slip some italics on Kenny Holland. I have no idea how I let that one get by. I guess I was all enthralled by the mystique of Scotty Bowman. I convinced myself that he ran the whole show the time he was there. My bad. BTW, my favourite part of compiling that list is seeing that Darcy Regier played for the Cleveland Barons and that Craig Patrick played for the California (Golden) Seals and Kansas City Scouts.

posted by grum@work at 02:41 PM on February 16, 2005

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.