That was the assumption when the Bears went outside to hire Ryan Pace.

Did the Wirtz's not know of any hockey people who have built a solid organization? What they need is a hockey ops retooling. What does a soccer and NBA guy know about hockey ops?

Maybe it'll work.
- mohel

Somebody needs to give Rocky Doug Wilson's cell phone number.

Explain how Bettman has been a failure.
- paulr

There must be photos somewhere of Bettman schmoozing with executives of the Arizona Coyotes.

Agree, the yr long audit before they hire hockey ops people seems excessive, for sure, but with Davidson showing competence and considering the how incompetent the organIzational decision makers have been the last 5 yrs I'll wait the yr.

I expected little to nothing from Rocky and his boy but that has changed in a big way today. Hire experts to do what you can't is always a good thing and they've done that. ...... Add there is no possible way anyone would have thought that bringing King up and the structuring of the coaching duties with Crawford being HC 1B would have led to a 10-6(?) run and a complete on ice reversal. KD has to be given lotsa credit for that.

Now, lets see if KD can make a Raycroft for Raask kinda deal!!
- Mr Ricochet

Hey Rico, just trying to follow your line of thought. You've alluded a number of times to how inexperienced KD is, and that there is no direction and they should bring in an experienced hockey guy. Now here, you say that KD is showing competence (in two minor trades and ousting a coach who was heading a basically winless team).

Is it just the fact that they've hired someone to oversee the restructure, or did KD prove something that I haven't read about? Seriously not trying to be an ass here, I just don't understand the flip.

Somebody needs to give Rocky Doug Wilson's cell phone number.
- RickJ

I’ve heard a few people think Wilson would be a good selection for Chicago. His record of trades and signings in San Jose haven’t been very good. People complained Bowman screwed up the cap but he at least had three cups . Wilson got the Sharks into cap hell with nothing to show for it.

There must be photos somewhere of Bettman schmoozing with executives of the Arizona Coyotes.
- RickJ

I’m not a big fan because of his personality and perceived arrogance. The reason he kept the team in Arizona was to try to secure a National Network TV deal. He’s done wonders for the US game, from grassroots up by keeping teams in non traditional hockey markets.

Bettman?
Yes, it will be a failure.
- powerenforcer

As you know, Bettman also came out of the NBA.

Erasing a 3rd period 3 goal deficit in Toronto and beating the Caps twice in a week makes this seem achievable doesn't it?
- Mr Ricochet

It shouldn't be but it does. They keep getting points. I don't know that it is reasonable to expect that to continue but I guess that's why you play them.

Low event hockey (though the Caps game certainly wasn't that) and good goaltending is getting them results.

Explain how Bettman has been a failure.
- paulr

All he's done is make the owners a fortune. Other than that? Total failure.

I’ve heard a few people think Wilson would be a good selection for Chicago. His record of trades and signings in San Jose haven’t been very good. People complained Bowman screwed up the cap but he at least had three cups . Wilson got the Sharks into cap hell with nothing to show for it.
- paulr

No way should he be the GM. President? Maybe. The title is about identifying hockey ops talent and letting them do their thing. Don't know enough about him to opine on his skills in that area.

All he's done is make the owners a fortune. Other than that? Total failure.
- mohel

4 work stoppages lost year of hockey. Letting Arizona continue to be a team relocate them already was never a viable hockey market imo.

4 work stoppages lost year of hockey. Letting Arizona continue to be a team relocate them already was never a viable hockey market imo.
- Scott1977

Why did Bettman keep hockey in Arizona?

That was the assumption when the Bears went outside to hire Ryan Pace.

Did the Wirtz's not know of any hockey people who have built a solid organization? What they need is a hockey ops retooling. What does a soccer and NBA guy know about hockey ops?

Maybe it'll work.
- mohel

Running an org is running an org. The biggest differences in the NBA and certainly in the Premier League is that you can't just throw money around if you have it.

It sounds like their company is more focused on cultural changes within and modernizing the organization which are good things. The NHL could use some fresh changes, especially now that they have ESPN pimping their product, there is real opportunity for growth if they can get away from the "hard, jam" cliche nonsense to letting the stars be stars.

Can't argue with the guys success at Chelsea. They went from very good to great during his tenure there.

Ricochet has been spot on the last few threads. Until new direction and leadership is in place, everything is up in the air not just with the team direction, but who’s operating across departments to shape this team in the future.

Sportsology is not Ernie Accorsie v2 and we don’t have Ted Philips here. I’m sure the structure updates and resulting hires will be a collaboration between ownership, Forde, and Rocky’s closest hockey minds he turns to.

Here’s a link to Forde on the 32 thoughts podcast which will shed light on why the Wirtz hired him:
https://open.spotify.com/...si=ZKJR-okVSSmMx6d9_tjUNg

It shouldn't be but it does. They keep getting points. I don't know that it is reasonable to expect that to continue but I guess that's why you play them.

Low event hockey (though the Caps game certainly wasn't that) and good goaltending is getting them results.
- fattybeef

Great to see them playing better. The playoff thing, though.....

The Hawks are sitting eight points out of the last spot, with six teams to pass. In the last ten games three of those teams have more points than the Hawks, one has the same, and two have fewer points. In those ten games they have passed zero teams.

Geez Dots, numbers might be off but since King took over they are 10-6 and a top 5 defensive squad and that's with bottom 6 types and rookies strewn throughout the lineup.

A win is a win whether it's 6-5 or 2-1. Let the talent grow into the system.
- Mr Ricochet

Oh i know, and I'll say it again, I'm grateful they are in these games now and i can actually watch 60 to 65 minutes of hockey since King has taken over. Just thinking out loud

As far as a playoff team, they dug themselves a huge hole, it's a real struggle for them just to get to points=games played. Hopefully they are able to win a few games in a row in the next month or two.

Why did Bettman keep hockey in Arizona?
- paulr

Because it's the 10th biggest metropolitan area in the USA. Bigger than Boston, Detroit, MSP, SEA/TAC & Denver. And it's growing.

The problem hasn't been the location, it's been the team's ownership and management. Vegas seems to be doing quite nicely in a desert not too far north of Phoenix.

4 work stoppages lost year of hockey. Letting Arizona continue to be a team relocate them already was never a viable hockey market imo.
- Scott1977

Yep. But the franchise values are rising quickly. The league's financial health is far better than when he arrived. I know some don't care about that, but I suspect the owners do...

Because it's the 10th biggest metropolitan area in the USA. Bigger than Boston, Detroit, MSP, SEA/TAC & Denver. And it's growing.

The problem hasn't been the location, it's been the team's ownership and management. Vegas seems to be doing quite nicely in a desert not too far north of Phoenix.
- scottak

Yea but Vegas is a union city

I’ve heard a few people think Wilson would be a good selection for Chicago. His record of trades and signings in San Jose haven’t been very good. People complained Bowman screwed up the cap but he at least had three cups . Wilson got the Sharks into cap hell with nothing to show for it.
- paulr

If you use GM trade results as a barometer for qualification as President of an NHL team, most GM's would fail miserably. Trader Jim Rutherford made many curious deals; Ken Holland could be accused of running the Red Wings into the garbage can; Brian Burke as GM of the the Leafs. What qualifications did Cam Neely and Brendan Shanahan have to become Team Presidents?

A Team President fills an overseer role on hockey matters but also takes on a position as the executive face of a franchise, interacts regularly in the community, helps sell the product etc.

Doug Wilson is just a name with a very nice public image.

If you don't think he qualifies for the role, I have another great candidate (but likely not available) - Tod Leiweke - CEO Seattle Kraken.

Because it's the 10th biggest metropolitan area in the USA. Bigger than Boston, Detroit, MSP, SEA/TAC & Denver. And it's growing.

The problem hasn't been the location, it's been the team's ownership and management. Vegas seems to be doing quite nicely in a desert not too far north of Phoenix.
- scottak

The reason is because every region in the US needs to be represented if Bettman was going to entice a network tv company to pick up the NHL on more than a game per week basis.

Without a team in Arizona what sport do you think Austen Matthews would be playing today, because it’s very unlikely to be hockey. By helping indirectly building a grassroots hockey base in the US it’s only a matter of time before the US is the best hockey nation in the world because of the number of athletes now viewing hockey as a legitimate sport to pursue. You have Gary to thank for that.

Yea but Vegas is a union city
- BetweenTheDots

Exactly!

If you use GM trade results as a barometer for qualification as President of an NHL team, most GM's would fail miserably. Trader Jim Rutherford made many curious deals; Ken Holland could be accused of running the Red Wings into the garbage can; Brian Burke as GM of the the Leafs. What qualifications did Cam Neely and Brendan Shanahan have to become Team Presidents?

A Team President fills an overseer role on hockey matters but also takes on a position as the executive face of a franchise, interacts regularly in the community, helps sell the product etc.

Doug Wilson is just a name with a very nice public image.

If you don't think he qualifies for the role, I have another great candidate (but likely not available) - Tod Leiweke - CEO Seattle Kraken.
- RickJ

Not sure any of the guys you mentioned are good presidents? If Wilson is indeed chosen as the Blackhawks president hopefully he’ll know and understand the mistakes he’s made and not all the Chicago GM operate in the same knee jerk manner he did as the Shark’s GM.

Great to see them playing better. The playoff thing, though.....

The Hawks are sitting eight points out of the last spot, with six teams to pass. In the last ten games three of those teams have more points than the Hawks, one has the same, and two have fewer points. In those ten games they have passed zero teams.
- mohel

Will be an interesting trade deadline. Last year with smoke and mirrors the Hawks were in playoff contention but still sold. They will have the cap space to add, but do they use it to get a bad contract and futures?

Question is are they going to extend Toews and Kane? Or look to trade them. Since both contracts end next year, Discussions need to start no later than this offseason

Will be an interesting trade deadline. Last year with smoke and mirrors the Hawks were in playoff contention but still sold. They will have the cap space to add, but do they use it to get a bad contract and futures?

Question is are they going to extend Toews and Kane? Or look to trade them. Since both contracts end next year, Discussions need to start no later than this offseason
- LAHawk

All great questions. But none can be accurately answered without knowing whether ownership wants a full on rebuild, or to continue the more recent direction that led to the Jones and Flower trades.

If you believe that Evander Kane is reinventing himself into a quality teammate, would you trade Kubalik for him?