Matches Malone wrote:
Thanks for the info. Now onto the more recent past.
Dale Tallon
How and why did he get the gm job? I know his longtime history, but was there always the belief he was a personnel guy in the waiting? Who made the call on putting him in charge? Looking back, what's the final say on his talent evaluation skills? Were his draft picks slam dunks or did he "discover" talent? Lastly, I know he got into trouble with the whole salary cap fiasco but was that going to happen regardless or was that his undoing?
Dale was leaving once McDonough got here. Two egos and only one of them knew hockey. And he had a higher position. He worked as a scout and assistant GM before being named GM. Like a lot of "old School" guys he is and was very loyal to others. Sometimes too much so. Jack Skille, hoorible. Toews, Kane, when many others thought he should have taken Kyle Turris, Cam Barker, really bad and Dylan Olsen who is still playing somewhere I think. Last but not least is Kyle Beach a talented sociopath who could never control his temper enough to play in the NHL. Dale signed some good players, like Hossa,, yes that was HIS signing and traded for Sharp. Duncan Keith and Seabrooke were scouted by Dale and drafted on his recommendation. So, the entire core is his.
The Bowmans
I know Stan was in the organIzation but was always being groomed to take over? Who brought in his Dad? Should Tallon be pissed or was this all laid out from the beginning? Is this all Stan or does Scotty have a lot a say? Why was Quenville available in the first place, shouldn't some other team have picked him up? I mean every time over the years I would turn on a game there was Ken Hitchcock but Q was on the shelf? What gives?
Stan Bowman has been enhanced by help from his dad. But he paid his dues learning the game on his own as well. He was with the hawks for seven years before his dad came. McDonough hired Scotty. And i think Dale knew at that point he would be gone someday. He gets the blame for the offer sheet snafu when in reality, it was Stan Bowman's job to send them. Q left the Avs on his own according to many. His contract was ending and he didn't like the way the organization was heading. The Hawks signed him as a scout and replaced Savvy with him shortly after.
The Players
The core, what was expected from them when drafted? I know high picks are projected to be difference makers but as we all know, (Ty Griffen I'm looking at you) that doesn't always work out. At the time, were all these guys consensus picks or did fans and "experts" want someone else instead?
Kane was not a consensus pick but a pick em between him and Turris. Toews was the best available at three. Skille was an awful pick, as was Kyle Beach.
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