The whole NHL is like that. It's a good ol' boys network.
Life is like that.
If you have an open position would you rather hire a guy who's work ethic and abilities you know first hand, or hire a guy who's work ethic and abilities you have to figure out from a resume? I'll go for the first hand experience every single time.
It only becomes an issue when you are hiring guys who are not equipped for the open position. I think Snow gets the benefit of the doubt from that perspective.