Why affirm one way or another then? Simply deflect the question or no comment the sucker... it's not exactly kosher anywhere to offer up a lie to buy time, especially if the truth comes out in a matter of days and your GM is left looking like a stooge.
- Tomahawk

Deflection or a no comment would lead to speculation that it was true.

Oh no, not a stooge!
- BulliesPhan87

Well, one of the 3 Stooges is erroneously listed as having been born on South Street.

Not really relevant, but a somewhat complete thought.

Deflection or a no comment would lead to speculation that it was true.
- MJL

That's pure conjecture on your part, as you can't say for certain that would have happened.

it doesn't really matter. nobody thinks this was a sudden decision. nobody with a functioning brain, anyway.
- hammarby31

I suspect the transition was scheduled for after next season, when Homer's contract was up, but the GM openings and the Flyers getting bounced early accelerated things... to Homer's apparent surprise.


<-- Conjecture

I suspect the transition was scheduled for after next season, when Homer's contract was up, but the GM openings and the Flyers getting bounced early accelerated things... to Homer's apparent surprise.


<-- Conjecture
- Tomahawk

Damn right conjecture. Get some concrete facts before posting a thought.

Dubious short term gain.

Possible long term fallout in terms of legacy:

"The humiliating epitaph of his term as general manager of the Flyers was written on May 7 2014 when Holmgren was forced to vacate his job in favor of Ron Hextall one day after declaring that he had no intentions of doing so."

Worth it?
- PT21

If you've been paying attention, you know that the president's job has been open since December. The fact that there has been not one sniff of information about how it was going to be filled and that it was suggested last week that a move up was possible for Holmgren, but on his timetable SHOULD have given savvy media the idea that something was in the works.

As discussed yesterday, an organization making this kind of change at the top will typically try to have all the talking points in the hands of all client, media, business partner, and advertiser facing employees before the press conference so that a united front can be presented.

Since the team did not want to make a GM change during the season, and they had decided that this was the route to take, that was going to happen after the season ended. It wasn't going to happen before the playoff elimination, because then IT becomes the story, not the team. And that you don't want during the playoffs. And all those people affected have other jobs to do when they are in the middle of the playoffs besides handling the communications surrounding the change.

That's pure conjecture on your part, as you can't say for certain that would have happened.
- jmatchett383

You are correct, it is. But with the way the media is around here, it is a safe bet.

You are correct, it is. But with the way the media is around here, it is a safe bet.
- MJL

That's based purely on what has happened in the past and has nothing to do with the present.

I suspect the transition was scheduled for after next season, when Homer's contract was up, but the GM openings and the Flyers getting bounced early accelerated things... to Homer's apparent surprise.


<-- Conjecture
- Tomahawk

You really believe they planned to leave the President position open for another full year?

I suspect the transition was scheduled for after next season, when Homer's contract was up, but the GM openings and the Flyers getting bounced early accelerated things... to Homer's apparent surprise.


<-- Conjecture
- Tomahawk

not to mention Lukko's seemingly sudden abandon ship decision after a quarter-century of working for snider.

Damn right conjecture. Get some concrete facts before posting a thought.
- jmatchett383

Does a "my girlfriend's brother's friend who does security at the WFC said..." count?

That's based purely on what has happened in the past and has nothing to do with the present.
- jmatchett383

Okay

not to mention Lukko's seemingly sudden abandon ship decision after a quarter-century of working for snider.
- hammarby31

So he did it because he thought this might happen? Foregoing 6 mos or 18 mos of significant income? Why screw yourself? Why not say, fine, if that's the picture, give me a retention bonus 'til you're ready for the move? You think Comcast wouldn't have ponied up?

Does a "my girlfriend's brother's friend who does security at the WFC said..." count?
- Tomahawk

Depends on it your girlfriend's brother's friend is a hot woman or not.

Does a "my girlfriend's brother's friend who does security at the WFC said..." count?
- Tomahawk

thank you, simone.

So he did it because he thought this might happen? Foregoing 6 mos or 18 mos of significant income? Why screw yourself? Why not say, fine, if that's the picture, give me a retention bonus 'til you're ready for the move? You think Comcast wouldn't have ponied up?
- bodiva88

no, i was just saying the presidency was vacated months back and they needed to fill the position, so this was part of the process to elevate HOLMGER now, rather than say in a year or two or three, assuming this is the role they had penciled for him, and is also the role he wanted.

no, i was just saying the presidency was vacated months back and they needed to fill the position, so this was part of the process to elevate HOLMGER now, rather than say in a year or two or three, assuming this is the role they had penciled for him, and is also the role he wanted.
- hammarby31

No matter the reason, I'm going to have a very hard time separating the stick-swinging berserker of a goalie from the very soft-spoken well dressed GM that are Ron Hextall.

No matter the reason, I'm going to have a very hard time separating the stick-swinging berserker of a goalie from the very soft-spoken well dressed GM that are Ron Hextall.
- jmatchett383

I'm hoping he levels Barkann when he says something stupid and insulting in an interview.

In all seriousness, though, if VL were willing to go to NSH (a stretch), it's not like they don't have a number of "bad" contracts they'd love to send back the other way -- Nystrom Gaustad, Stalberg, etc.
- Tomahawk

I'd take Stalberg. At least he's a LW.

I'm hoping he levels Barkann when he says something stupid and insulting in an interview.
- MJL

Goalie stick to the throat.

I'd take Stalberg. At least he's a LW.
- Feanor

Yeah, I'd be in favor of Stalberg for VL straight up.

No matter the reason, I'm going to have a very hard time separating the stick-swinging berserker of a goalie from the very soft-spoken well dressed GM that are Ron Hextall.
- jmatchett383

i won't. there's no doubt in my mind that same passion still burns under the tie and jacket. he said himself there's nothing he wants more than to win a cup here, and i believe that. i also believe he will be a terrific gm and end the drought. it won't happen next year, but it will happen.

i won't. there's no doubt in my mind that same passion still burns under the tie and jacket. he said himself there's nothing he wants more than to win a cup here, and i believe that. i also believe he will be a terrific gm and end the drought. it won't happen next year, but it will happen.
- hammarby31

I give him the Summer to mold this roster into a top team, or I'm calling for his head.

You really believe they planned to leave the President position open for another full year?
- bodiva88

You have to admit, it's odd that they would appoint Homer to replace Luukko, given the non-hockey nature of the position and the stark difference in their backgrounds and relevant experience.

i won't. there's no doubt in my mind that same passion still burns under the tie and jacket. he said himself there's nothing he wants more than to win a cup here, and i believe that. i also believe he will be a terrific gm and end the drought. it won't happen next year, but it will happen.
- hammarby31

Well, I know it's still the same, but it's so under control. Just like Berube when he was holding Lavi back. In his playing days, Berube would be the one on the ice taking care of those types of issues.

The same fire and passion are still there, but I'd feel more comfortable if he carried a goalie stick with him everywhere and just gave a casual swipe with it from time to time to make sure he gets his space.