Seeing as the players saw the red pen earlier, here are the grades of the men in charge. Their explanations are a little more in depth and, for the first time, Hartford's head honchos are included. For comparison's sake, here are the grades for '09-10 and '10-11.
James Dolan: As usual, Dolan represents upper management, because he himself has nothing to do with the team ... aside from making outrageous, idiotic Cup claims after someone showed him the standings. So this is perhaps more Scott O'Neil and his minions than Dolan but whatever. The Garden made money hand over fist yet again, raising prices across the board and getting suckers like us to pay them. The first phase of the renovation finished with positive reviews: the West Balcony was beautiful - even if it obstructed the views of several rows of blue seats - and fans seemed to enjoy the Delta Club and it's zoo-exhibit glass walkway for the players. Sather was green-lit to make whatever moves he deemed necessary, with the NHL's salary cap being the only limit. I don't know the numbers but surely the Garden of Dreams had a banner year and the Crown Collection of Lundqvist apparel (with proceeds going to the charity) was a hit. B
Glen Sather: As with the old Facts of Life that I used to do here on the blog, you have to take the good and take the bad. Sather signed Brad Richard$; Sather signed Mike Rupp. Sather gave Ryan Callahan a three-year, $12.8m deal; Sather gave Brandon Dubinski a four-year $16.8m deal. Sather added Anton Stralman off waivers; Sather added Jeff Woywitka off waivers. Sather didn't trade Chris Kreider away; Sather traded for John Scott. All that being said, good ole Glen promised victory in the Winter Classic and somehow got Mike Rupp of all people to make his claim come true. As president, Sather is likely the one who signed off on the European start to the season and that was a success as the team played in packed arenas while bonding better than they would have had they stayed stateside. B-
Jim Schoenfeld/Ken Gernander: As GM of the Whale, Schoenfeld made some inspired signings like Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Marek Hrivik. Kelsey Tessier, Scott Tanski, Jared Nightingale and Jordan Owens were solid citizens, if unspectacular. Gernander dealt with the hand he was given by Schoeney (including Aaron Voros and an agitated Avery) and did well with it. The Whale grabbed the sixth seed in the playoffs after a 36-26-14 regular season and made it to the second round of the Calder Cup before being steamrolled by the Norfolk Admirals, the eventual champs. The coach taught the Ranger philosophy to guys like Hagelin, Mitchell and Deveaux, allowing them to jump right into the show and not look out of place. And whether it was Kenny G or Schoeney or the players themselves, the decision to make Wade Redden captain clearly worked out as every young call-up credited the former Broadway Blunder with help becoming a professional. B
John Tortorella: The egomaniacal blowhard yet again helped send his team spiraling to its demise with dubious decision making. Benching the top scorer in a tight game in the playoffs sent one message - the coach's way or the highway, damn the consequences - a repeat of the Avery benching back in 2009. Tortorella's entire idea of accountability was warped as he clearly played favourites, with guys like Del Zaster and Mitchell rarely drawing the coach's ire while poor Stu Bickel was publicly abused time and time again. Torts yelled, he screamed, he couldn't get his team to start playing at puck drop, he couldn't get the power play to work, he screwed with chemistry all the way through the playoffs and he never got them to turn the screw once they took a lead. The entire Avery saga was perpetuated by the coach, and it robbed the team of what would have been a valuable weapon in the playoffs. On the other side of it, his faith in his old friend Ruslan Fedotenko was repaid in the postseason. And, after he threw 'safe is death' out the window, he managed to get the guys to buy in to the shot blocking, counterattacking philosophy that helped get them as far as they did. But Tortorella's press conferences were the worst kind of theatre, car crashes that showed he could care less about the fans as a whole. Individually, his treatment of/friendship with Liam - the handicapped diehard - was really good stuff. CChatGPT
Title: Grading The Brass: An Evaluation of NHL Team Management in the 2011-2012 Season
Introduction
In the world of professional sports, the success of a team is not solely determined by the players on the ice but also by the management and decision-making behind the scenes. The 2011-2012 NHL season was a memorable one, filled with thrilling games, standout performances, and remarkable storylines. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the management of NHL teams during that season, providing grades for their performance and addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the role of team management in the league.
Section 1: The Role of Team Management in the NHL
Team management in the NHL encompasses a wide range of responsibilities and decisions, including:
Player Personnel: Making critical decisions on player acquisitions, trades, and draft picks to assemble a competitive roster.
Coaching: Selecting and overseeing coaching staff to develop strategies, tactics, and player development programs.
Financial Management: Managing the team's salary cap, player contracts, and financial resources effectively.
Scouting and Development: Identifying and developing talent within the organization's farm system and scouting prospects for future success.
Section 2: Grading NHL Team Management in 2011-2012
Let's evaluate the management of several NHL teams during the 2011-2012 season:
Chicago Blackhawks: Grade - A
The Blackhawks, led by GM Stan Bowman, successfully balanced their roster and cap space, resulting in a President's Trophy win.
Los Angeles Kings: Grade - A+
The Kings, under GM Dean Lombardi, made shrewd mid-season acquisitions and secured their first-ever Stanley Cup victory.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Grade - B
Despite their star-studded roster, the Penguins faced playoff disappointments, leading to questions about their management's decisions.
Edmonton Oilers: Grade - C+
The Oilers, while showcasing promising young talent, struggled to make the playoffs, raising concerns about their overall team-building strategy.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Grade - D
The Blue Jackets struggled both on and off the ice, leading to changes in the team's management and a reevaluation of their approach.
Section 3: Success Stories and Challenges
During the 2011-2012 season, several teams demonstrated exemplary management, while others faced significant challenges:
Success Stories:
The St. Louis Blues, led by GM Doug Armstrong, transformed into a playoff contender by making savvy roster moves.
The New York Rangers, with GM Glen Sather, made astute acquisitions that propelled them to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Challenges:
The Montreal Canadiens struggled to maintain their historical success, prompting questions about their management's direction.
The Florida Panthers faced financial difficulties, highlighting the complexities of managing an NHL team in a non-traditional hockey market.
Section 4: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NHL Team Management
Let's address some common questions about NHL team management:
How does the NHL salary cap impact team management?
The salary cap limits how much teams can spend on player salaries. Effective cap management is essential to assemble a competitive roster.
What is the role of a general manager (GM) in an NHL team?
GMs oversee player acquisitions, negotiate contracts, and make strategic decisions to build and maintain a competitive team.
How do teams balance short-term success with long-term sustainability?
Successful teams strike a balance by making immediate moves to contend for championships while also focusing on player development for future success.
Section 5: Looking Ahead
NHL team management is an ever-evolving field, with each season presenting new challenges and opportunities. The 2011-2012 season serves as a valuable benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of management decisions and their impact on team success. As the NHL continues to grow and adapt, the role of team management remains crucial in shaping the league's future. With dedicated and skilled management, NHL teams aim to achieve the ultimate goal: hoisting the Stanley Cup and etching their names in hockey history.
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