Management GM Pierre Dorion/Front Office Thread - Part IX [Mod Warning in post 1)

[Neil Patrick Harris]

Melnyk passed with about a month left in a lost season. We're not even into the off-season proper yet. The draft hasn't happened. Free agency hasn't started.

Respectfully, there's still plenty of time to hear what the direction is before we drop the puck next season - assuming we hear from them directly at all. For all we know, they'll hire someone as President of Hockey Ops and let them and Leblanc do the talking.

 

[Tuna99]

Melnyk passed with about a month left in a lost season. We're not even into the off-season proper yet. The draft hasn't happened. Free agency hasn't started.

Respectfully, there's still plenty of time to hear what the direction is before we drop the puck next season - assuming we hear from them directly at all. For all we know, they'll hire someone as President of Hockey Ops and let them and Leblanc do the talking.

The owner died and all we have heard is the GM telling him the players want a new hot tub and bath hey gave him a stern stalking toX

Like seriously; who’s running this team?

 

[Golden_Jet]

Of course you are wrong again. Watch Molsons press conference after he fired Bergevin, it’s one long stamentement on new direction, better sports pholosppshy to create a more positive environment for the fans, players and managers and a statement of the Habs values.

From of course the best run team in the NHL, but of course in your eyes, not good enough for Ottawa

Yep heard all that from Anthony thanks.

The owner died and all we have heard is the GM telling him the players want a new hot tub and bath hey gave him a stern stalking toX

Like seriously; who’s running this team?

Can’t remember which traded player said it, but damn we didn’t have a hot tub and sauna in our room.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

You try too hard.

These are all comments in purchasing teams… show me a message from an owner on “how they want things done”

I don't really care I just think you say a lot of things that are not true and like to clarify for anyone that might be reading. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. I noted the difference between the situations but there are some parallels that can still be drawn. The idea that we never get a statement clarifying the ownership situation is asinine imo.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Of course you are wrong again. Watch Molsons press conference after he fired Bergevin, it’s one long stamentement on new direction, better sports pholosppshy to create a more positive environment for the fans, players and managers and a statement of the Habs values.

From of course the best run team in the NHL, but of course in your eyes, not good enough for Ottawa

Sorry, but you are 100% wrong.

When they fire Dorion it won’t be the Melnyk family making a statement either.

You guys need to get over it… they do not owe you anything.

 

[Tuna99]

Sorry, but you are 100% wrong.

When they fire Dorion it won’t be the Melnyk family making a statement either.

You guys need to get over it… they do not owe you anything.

Who says owe anything, I’m talking as a fan wondering what the hell is going on with this team.

I don’t feel owed anything, but I do think it’s stupid they haven’t even said a single thing to the fans.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Who says owe anything, I’m talking as a fan wondering what the hell is going on with this team.

I don’t feel owed anything, but I do think it’s stupid they haven’t even said a single thing to the fans.

Not listening I guess.
I found out last week , the budget gets determined this week for example, Leblanc said a lot last week.

 

[JungleBeat]

Did Dorion say anything about adding pieces to make the playoffs next year?

 

[Golden_Jet]

Who says owe anything, I’m talking as a fan wondering what the hell is going on with this team.

I don’t feel owed anything, but I do think it’s stupid they haven’t even said a single thing to the fans.

This attitude of “they don’t owe you anything” is the exact wrong attitude to have to a fanbase that wants positive engagement from its ownership.

If we don’t owe the owners anything and they don’t owe us anything, that’s a race to the bottom like it’s always been

Lol, can’t decide which it is eh.

 

[Ice-Tray]

You really can't fault the fanbase for a) being accustomed to hearing from the owner, and b) wanting to know which direction the franchise is headed. Nothing to do with being owed anything, but everything to do with rebuilding fan confidence.

Just be patient. We’ll know the direction as it unfolds.

We do know that Olivia and Anna are focusing on changing the marketing strategy and overall brand of the organization.

I don’t want either to be paraded out for angry bitter fans to launch questions. Fans can go about their lives, listen to the GM and POBO lay out hickey and business directions, and be satisfied with that.

If folks are struggling so mightily with their confidence, and are unable to a) see the changes that are already happening, and b) be patient and watch the changes unfold as they do, in their own time, then that on them.

I have no interest in he organization catering to those people, or hand holding the bitter hold outs. Come around in your own time, by your own volition, or don’t. Doesn’t really matter.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Just be patient. We’ll know the direction as it unfolds.

We do know that Olivia and Anna are focusing on changing the marketing strategy and overall brand of the organization.

I don’t want either to be paraded out for angry bitter fans to launch questions. Fans can go about their lives, listen to the GM and POBO lay out hickey and business directions, and be satisfied with that.

If folks are struggling so mightily with their confidence, and are unable to a) see the changes that are already happening, and b) be patient and watch the changes unfold as they do, in their own time, then that on them.

I have no interest in he organization catering to those people, or hand holding the bitter hold outs. Come around in your own time, by your own volition, or don’t. Doesn’t really matter.

Oh, I'm not impatient on this front at all. I completely understand why the Melnyks would want to stay in the background for now. Mine was more a response to the nonsense rebuttal about being owed anything and misplaced disdain for what was a very reasonable post.

 

[Ice-Tray]

It's different cuz they just inherited it from their devil of a dad, but it's not unprecedented for a statement from new NHL owners. All anyone has been told is they are considering their options.

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

Gillett, Molsons agree on Habs sale

www.sportsnet.ca

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

Alex Meruelo purchase of Coyotes finalized, making him NHL's first Latino majority owner | Sporting News Canada

The son of Cuban immigrants, Meruelo, who got his start in his father's tuxedo business, bought controlling interest from Andrew Barroway.

www.sportingnews.com

That’s not really all we’ve been told though. We have been told that the team is not up for sale, and we’ve been told that Anna and Olivia are focusing on changing the marketing and image of the organization.

logic would dictate that they enjoy the learning curves, and exploring the roles and responsibilities of NHL ownership, and leave the hockey operations to the people they pay to do those jobs.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Oh, I'm not impatient on this front at all. I completely understand why the Melnyks would want to stay in the background for now. Mine was more a response to the nonsense rebuttal about being owed anything and misplaced disdain for what was a very reasonable post.

I hear you, and once again you bare the brunt from me since I have long blocked certain folks in here. My apologies.

Anna and Olivia are very young, apparently are very interested and involved in the organization, and are already having an impact.

There is a board in place in charge of hockey and business operations.

I don’t think we need or should expect to hear from these very young new owners until they feel comfortable addressing the media.

I think there are folks out there who are still very angry, and feel robbed of misplaced vengeance by untimely EM’s death. Holding his daughters to account is the next step along with firing literally everyone lol

I feel a bit defensive I suppose, perhaps it’s due to having my own two young daughters… ah well….

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

That’s not really all we’ve been told though. We have been told that the team is not up for sale, and we’ve been told that Anna and Olivia are focusing on changing the marketing and image of the organization.

logic would dictate that they enjoy the learning curves, and exploring the roles and responsibilities of NHL ownership, and leave the hockey operations to the people they pay to do those jobs.

Through official channels, we've only had Bettman's statement from my understanding. We've had Garrioch's claims and the tweet from a 3rd party about the marketing/image.

I'm honestly not concerned, I just thought the attempt at such a snarky authoritative statement saying no statement will ever be made was incorrect. At some point, the ownership situation will be clarified through team communication even if it's something as simple as they are looking forward to retaining ownership and working with the community of Ottawa blah blah blah.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Through official channels, we've only had Bettman's statement from my understanding. We've had Garrioch's claims and the tweet from a 3rd party about the marketing/image.

I'm honestly not concerned, I just thought the attempt at such a snarky authoritative statement saying no statement will ever be made was incorrect. At some point, the ownership situation will be clarified through team communication even if it's something as simple as they are looking forward to retaining ownership and working with the community of Ottawa blah blah blah.

Leblanc talked about marketing last week.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Through official channels, we've only had Bettman's statement from my understanding. We've had Garrioch's claims and the tweet from a 3rd party about the marketing/image.

I'm honestly not concerned, I just thought the attempt at such a snarky authoritative statement saying no statement will ever be made was incorrect. At some point, the ownership situation will be clarified through team communication even if it's something as simple as they are looking forward to retaining ownership and working with the community of Ottawa blah blah blah.

Bettman is about as official as Garrioche when it comes to Sens not being for sale though, and he’s pretty adamant about it. We can’t claim that he’s the ‘mouthpiece of the organization’ only when it’s convenient to bash the team, and then pretend that he’s not legit when it doesn’t suit.

Also, It wasn’t 3rd hand about marketing and image, it was our President of Business Operations talking about the direct involvement of the new owners.

Aside from them speaking directly to you, it doesn’t get more legit.

I don’t think they need to come out and tell you that they intend on keeping the team. I think we have already been told softly, and it’s only weird fan obsessions with wealthy businessman saviours thy would even require a direct message conveying that yes, the current new owners who inherited the team, intend on keeping it.

To me, that’s pretty ‘duuuuh obviously’. Fan fantasy aside, I saw no reason for the daughters to sell the team. They are both fabulously wealthy, are both set to inherent the other half of the Melnyk fortune as well, and are part of an extremely exclusive group of NHL owners.

Add in that it’s their dead fathers legacy and dream that they own it, and that as fans in here decry endlessly, this is a market that can support an NHL team, so we don’t really need a benevolent billionaire ready to swoop in and lose millions for our enjoyment.

No, the logical assumption should always have been that the new owners will remain the owners of the team.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

Who says owe anything, I’m talking as a fan wondering what the hell is going on with this team.

I don’t feel owed anything, but I do think it’s stupid they haven’t even said a single thing to the fans.

geeez…. Let me tell you what is going on with this team…. They will be preparing, and then participating in the entry draft, then will try their luck in the UFA market…. And then off season, training camp and the next season with a goal of making or at least contending for a play off spot…… common knowledge my friend.

Oh if anything else happens, I’m sure they or the media will report on it.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Oh, I'm not impatient on this front at all. I completely understand why the Melnyks would want to stay in the background for now. Mine was more a response to the nonsense rebuttal about being owed anything and misplaced disdain for what was a very reasonable post.

Are you kidding me? “Nonsense rebuttal”

Expecting the owners to tell the fans “what direction they are going in”? It’s laughable.

What direction do you think they are going in? What shall they proclaim?

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Are you kidding me? “Nonsense rebuttal”

Expecting the owners to tell the fans “what direction they are going in”? It’s laughable.

What direction do you think they are going in? What shall they proclaim?

It's not "laughable." And your role as a moderator is to facilitate and encourage conversation, not stifle conversation. You're dismissive of the position just because you don't agree with it. It wasn't an unreasonable thought from Tuna99 and it's not unreasonable for a fanbase to want some kind of clarity surrounding an ownership situation. Not because we're owed, not because some grand statement will make any difference in the long run, but because the fanbase could do with some expectation setting.

And again, this is not me saying we need to hear from the Melnyks now. I understand why we're not hearing from them. But I didn't like how dismissive you were of a valid question.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Are you kidding me? “Nonsense rebuttal”

Expecting the owners to tell the fans “what direction they are going in”? It’s laughable.

What direction do you think they are going in? What shall they proclaim?

Atonement for the sins of the father, and answering for the disappointment in learning that a wealthy business man isn’t coming in to solve all of our worries.

Why in the world would Anna and Olivia have to answer to the media (some) and fan driven (some) speculation that they can’t and shouldn’t own the team.

If I were advising I’d say f*** those clowns and do your thing. Nobody has to present themselves for those folks.

It's not "laughable." And your role as a moderator is to facilitate and encourage conversation, not stifle conversation. You're dismissive of the position just because you don't agree with it. It wasn't an unreasonable thought from Tuna99 and it's not unreasonable for a fanbase to want some kind of clarity surrounding an ownership situation. Not because we're owed, not because some grand statement will make any difference in the long run, but because the fanbase could do with some expectation setting.

And again, this is not me saying we need to hear from the Melnyks now. I understand why we're not hearing from them. But I didn't like how dismissive you were of a valid question.

The lack of clarity was fan fantasy though. Consider that there is no reason to assume that the daughters would sell, and no reason they should have to address it.

The POHO has already given the business direction, and the hockey GM has already give the hockey direction. We also know that there is a board in place, and we know who they are.

We don’t need the owners publicly doing anything, though the POBO gave us some insight into their current focus. They own the team, folks are just going to have to deal with it if they have a problem.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

The lack of clarity was fan fantasy though. Consider that there is no reason to assume that the daughters would sell, and no reason they should have to address it.

The POHO has already given the business direction, and the hockey GM has already give the hockey direction. We also know that there is a board in place, and we know who they are.

We don’t need the owners publicly doing anything, though the POBO gave us some insight into their current focus. They own the team, folks are just going to have to deal with it if they have a problem.

I don't agree. If they have no intent to sell, it would behoove them to let the fanbase know so everyone could move forward together rather than have a lingering shadow of doubt. It's still a valid question as to why we haven't heard from them.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Leblanc talked about marketing last week.

Radio or was it quotes in an article? I haven't been able to find anything but would be interested in listening/reading.

Bettman is about as official as Garrioche when it comes to Sens not being for sale though, and he’s pretty adamant about it. We can’t claim that he’s the ‘mouthpiece of the organization’ only when it’s convenient to bash the team, and then pretend that he’s not legit when it doesn’t suit.

Also, It wasn’t 3rd hand about marketing and image, it was our President of Business Operations talking about the direct involvement of the new owners.

Aside from them speaking directly to you, it doesn’t get more legit.

Right but that's all from that same statement including dialogue about nothing being decided and them taking the time to decide the future, or was there more?

I'm not getting involved to say what I want or "expect" nor looking to get between their pissing match, I'm just saying that I think it's stupid to try to lay down the law with definitive statements. If I were a betting man, I'd be betting on some sort of statement from the org that eventually clarifies if they will be carrying forward on a permanent or interim basis.

Any ya I didn't mean 3rd party as in to imply it was hearsay, I meant as in who tweeted a quote about it which is all I saw. I was not aware Leblanc had been out there doing interviews, etc. so I'm genuinely asking now because I haven't seen anything and would like to listen.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I don't agree. If they have no intent to sell, it would behoove them to let the fanbase know so everyone could move forward together rather than have a lingering shadow of doubt. It's still a valid question as to why we haven't heard from them.

I think we should just assume that they have no intent to sell. They never indicated that they did, and their father was adamant that the team was for them.

We can’t create a fantasy situation and defend that people debunk it. The whole situation is silly, and smacks of men arguing that these young women aren’t capable (not saying you personally).

Don’t expect a grand statement, it isn’t necessary.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Radio or was it quotes in an article? I haven't been able to find anything but would be interested in listening/reading.

I think this is the reference:

 

[Ice-Tray]

Radio or was it quotes in an article? I haven't been able to find anything but would be interested in listening/reading.

Right but that's all from that same statement including dialogue about nothing being decided and them taking the time to decide the future, or was there more?

I'm not getting involved to say what I want or "expect" nor looking to get between their pissing match, I'm just saying that I think it's stupid to try to lay down the law with definitive statements. If I were a betting man, I'd be betting on some sort of statement from the org that eventually clarifies if they will be carrying forward on a permanent or interim basis.

Any ya I didn't mean 3rd party as in to imply it was hearsay, I meant as in who tweeted a quote about it which is all I saw. I was not aware Leblanc had been out there doing interviews, etc. so I'm genuinely asking now because I haven't seen anything and would like to listen.

You need to listen to the interview with Leblanc from the other day. It’s on tsn1200.

It’s really good stuff to be honest.