Podcast (Audio) Jeff Gorton Interview Today

[sampollock]

love the interview
Gordan is bang on... love how he says he players on this team deserves a trade but......not at the cost that some fans want

 

[Habs Halifax]

love the interview
Gordan is bang on... love how he says he players on this team deserves a trade but......not at the cost that some fans want

I think most of us are thinking along the same lines of how Gorton presented it. It's not like we are going to get into bidding wars for Nelson or ROR. But is someone like Gourde cost 2nd and 3rd, they might do it. That is not mortgaging the future with all the picks we got.

The other layer to this is who is out of the line-up if we bring in a Gourde type or a RD? Dvorak and Savard? The team might need a boost but then you look at the team and you wonder, should we really mess with their chemistry? This might change as we head towards the TDL.

Got to be prepared. Teams call sometimes and offer something none of us were thinking about. And even surprising Gorton/Hughes.

 

[sampollock]

I think most of us are thinking along the same lines of how Gorton presented it. It's not like we are going to get into bidding wars for Nelson or ROR. But is someone like Gourde cost 2nd and 3rd, they might do it. That is not mortgaging the future with all the picks we got.

The other layer to this is who is out of the line-up if we bring in a Gourde type or a RD? Dvorak and Savard?

yup
if they pull the trigger and spend big assets it will be a younger guy with term

 

[Erika]

It sounds more and more like Jeff Gorton is the real GM of this team. He's the one calling the shot and Gorton comment to Hughes on Lane Hutson going to the AHL is representative of that whether it was a joke or not.

The francophone media won't like it, but Hughes is just like the French interpret/assistant to the real GM which is Jeff Gorton.

It was a nice way to bypass the stupid request of the media wanting a French GM.

Molson: "Hey here's your French gm. He will be working with a hockey operation VP."

French medias: "oh wow, we have our French gm, he will be assisted and advised by a veteran like Jeff Gorton. That's great."

Molson and Gorton: Laughing out loud...

 

[Habs Halifax]

It sounds more and more like Jeff Gorton is the real GM of this team. He's the one calling the shot and Gorton comment to Hughes on Lane Hutson going to the AHL is representative of that whether it was a joke or not.

The francophone media won't like it, but Hughes is just like the French interpret/assistant to the real GM which is Jeff Gorton.

It was a nice way to bypass the stupid request of the media wanting a French GM.

Molson: "Hey here's your French gm. He will be working with a hockey operation VP."

French medias: "oh wow, we have our French gm, he will be assisted and advised by a veteran like Jeff Gorton. That's great."

Molson and Gorton: Laughing out loud...

Sorry but that narrative is garbage. Gorton is the savvy manager who speaks English yes. But lets not throw Hughes under the bus and call him a puppet. Hughes has done a wonderful job as our GM and no, it's not all Gorton's moves.

There is no language hidden agenda here. It's two great hires and Hughes was the one who pushed for MSL. I think the puppet narrative needs to be thrown out the window. Yes, we needed someone there to speak French but its not any deeper than that.

 

[Bring Bak Damphousse]

Sorry but that narrative is garbage. Gorton is the savvy manager who speaks English yes. But lets not throw Hughes under the bus and call him a puppet. Hughes has done a wonderful job as our GM and no, it's not all Gorton's moves.

There is no language hidden agenda here. It's two great hires and Hughes was the one who pushed for MSL. I think the puppet narrative needs to be thrown out the window.

Agreed, there’s no need to disregard one to elevate the other.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Agreed, there’s no need to disregard one to elevate the other.

Yeah, that was a focus by many when Hughes was hired and it's just wrong. Media and fans always looking for something that is not a reality.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Yeah, that was a focus by many when Hughes was hired and it's just wrong. Media and fans always looking for something that is not a reality.

100%. They both have terrific strengths.
Gorton, scouting and player evaluation.
Hughes, contract & trade value negotiation, salary cap etc...

both also look like excellent team builders

 

[Habs Halifax]

100%. They both have terrific strengths.
Gorton, scouting and player evaluation.
Hughes, contract & trade value negotiation, salary cap etc...

both also look like excellent team builders

100% agree. Us fans need to stop that "puppet" narrative right away. Other gullible young fans see it and think it's true.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

Pierre looking like Casey from Mr Dressup

 

[yianik]

Only watched a minute or so. Try to watch more later but Jimmy Murphy wears on me. Too much Boston. Pierre no help.

Sounds like Gorton puts a lot of stock with going ons in Laval. Credited Washington success to Hershey back to back championship. Compared Laval to them.

Kind of like the Nova Scotia Voyageurs winning 3 AHL championships ( 1972, 1976 and 1977 ) and having our last dynasty ?

 

[salbutera]

Gorton: “Hutson was never going to Laval….I told Ken if Lane goes to Laval you better get ready to go with him”

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Gorton: “Hutson was never going to Laval….I told Ken if Lane goes to Laval you better get ready to go with him”

Gorton doing his best Walter White:

 

[LaP]

It sounds more and more like Jeff Gorton is the real GM of this team. He's the one calling the shot and Gorton comment to Hughes on Lane Hutson going to the AHL is representative of that whether it was a joke or not.

The francophone media won't like it, but Hughes is just like the French interpret/assistant to the real GM which is Jeff Gorton.

It was a nice way to bypass the stupid request of the media wanting a French GM.

Molson: "Hey here's your French gm. He will be working with a hockey operation VP."

French medias: "oh wow, we have our French gm, he will be assisted and advised by a veteran like Jeff Gorton. That's great."

Molson and Gorton: Laughing out loud...

KH is probably the one handling all the contract negociations and CBA things. He's an agent he got more experience in that domain that Gorton. They probably colaborate on everything else. I said it day one that Gorton would not be a facade president of hockey operation.

 

[Captain Mountain]

It sounds more and more like Jeff Gorton is the real GM of this team. He's the one calling the shot and Gorton comment to Hughes on Lane Hutson going to the AHL is representative of that whether it was a joke or not.

The francophone media won't like it, but Hughes is just like the French interpret/assistant to the real GM which is Jeff Gorton.

It was a nice way to bypass the stupid request of the media wanting a French GM.

Molson: "Hey here's your French gm. He will be working with a hockey operation VP."

French medias: "oh wow, we have our French gm, he will be assisted and advised by a veteran like Jeff Gorton. That's great."

Molson and Gorton: Laughing out loud...

Most NHL front offices are two man shows right now. The job is too big for one person now. There isn't a "real GM".

 

[BLONG7]

Sorry but that narrative is garbage. Gorton is the savvy manager who speaks English yes. But lets not throw Hughes under the bus and call him a puppet. Hughes has done a wonderful job as our GM and no, it's not all Gorton's moves.

There is no language hidden agenda here. It's two great hires and Hughes was the one who pushed for MSL. I think the puppet narrative needs to be thrown out the window. Yes, we needed someone there to speak French but its not any deeper than that.

They both are working very well together.............no one should split hairs.
HuGo is a very good tandem............I really dislike when we have the french and english thing brought to the surface....
Winning..................is what the official language, of the Montreal Canadiens.

 

[LaP]

Most NHL front offices are two man shows right now. The job is too big for one person now. There isn't a "real GM".

Good nhl teams these days are managed like any other business. You got the board which here is the president. He reports directly to the owner. You got the CEO which here is the GM. He reports directly to the president (board), You got someone in change of marketing and public relation (COO) and someone in charge of assisting the GM with anything CBA, contracts, rules, ... (CFO) and both are reporting directly to the GM.

I feel like one of the biggest problem with MB is that he looked like a one man show. Molson was not a real president. If there was someone in charge of public relation i don't know who it was and he was doing an awful job toward the end (was fine at first with 24CH and the no excuse). Don't know who assisted MB with the contracts (Timmins?) but man some of them were god damn awful toward the end (was fine the first few years). It was always just MB speaking about playstation, center not being available, dogs and loyalty as well as fox holes. It looke like the number 2 was Therrien ... the more MB had a firm grip on the team's management the worse it became.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If they were going to have a puppet french GM under Gorton, it would have been a pure laine francophone. Not Kent Hughes who had to revitalize his french.

 

[LaP]

I think most of us are thinking along the same lines of how Gorton presented it. It's not like we are going to get into bidding wars for Nelson or ROR. But is someone like Gourde cost 2nd and 3rd, they might do it. That is not mortgaging the future with all the picks we got.

The other layer to this is who is out of the line-up if we bring in a Gourde type or a RD? Dvorak and Savard? The team might need a boost but then you look at the team and you wonder, should we really mess with their chemistry? This might change as we head towards the TDL.

Got to be prepared. Teams call sometimes and offer something none of us were thinking about. And even surprising Gorton/Hughes.

I think Hugo (and fans) might be surprised by the offers for Evans and i don't think the decision will be as easy as some fans think it will be. Evans is winning faceoffs. Playing well ont he PK. Can play center or wings. He is on pace for 19 goals and 42 points playing on a 3rd line (middle six production). His s% is high but not absudly high it's sustainable over one season. He is young enough to extend for a team ready to contend now and a team acquiring him will be able to discuss an extension first. A serious team with a core in its prime will more than certainly be willing to pay for a player like that. I'd say his value might be higher than Lehkonen was. So a serious offer could be a 1st and a legit prospect.

If they were going to have a puppet french GM under Gorton, it would have been a pure laine francophone. Not Kent Hughes who had to revitalize his french.

Good point.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Hugo (and fans) might be surprised by the offers for Evans and i don't think the decision will be as easy as some fans think it will be. Evans is winning faceoffs. Playing well ont he PK. Can play center or wings. He is on pace for 19 goals and 42 points playing on a 3rd line (middle six production). His s% is high but not absudly high it's sustainable over one season. He is young enough to extend for a team ready to contend now and a team acquiring him will be able to discuss an extension first. A serious team with a core in its prime will more than certainly be willing to pay for a player like that. I'd say his value might be higher than Lehkonen was. So a serious offer could be a 1st and a legit prospect.

I agree on this. Contenders lack bottom 2C depth and they will be targeting it. It's very possible that the Habs are holding off signing Evans and want to see the offers first. Call this an internal strategy from Gorton/Hughes and it would be smart to wait and find out.

Some Habs fans are at it again. The same ones who said Lehkonen sucks and is only worth a 2nd rounder are at it again with Evans devalue. The kid is taking 80% D zone starts against the other teams best lines and having his best season. And at a time when he finally has stable wingers. Not something he has had up to this point. Lehkonen was bounced all over our roster as well.

 

[salbutera]

Good nhl teams these days are managed like any other business. You got the board which here is the president. He reports directly to the owner. You got the CEO which here is the GM. He reports directly to the president (board), You got someone in change of marketing and public relation (COO) and someone in charge of assisting the GM with anything CBA, contracts, rules, ... (CFO) and both are reporting directly to the GM.

I feel like one of the biggest problem with MB is that he looked like a one man show. Molson was not a real president. If there was someone in charge of public relation i don't know who it was and he was doing an awful job toward the end (was fine at first with 24CH and the no excuse). Don't know who assisted MB with the contracts (Timmins?) but man some of them were god damn awful toward the end (was fine the first few years). It was always just MB speaking about playstation, center not being available, dogs and loyalty as well as fox holes. It looke like the number 2 was Therrien ... the more MB had a firm grip on the team's management the worse it became.

Gorton is not the President - he has zero business responsibilities …none. He reports to the President (Molson) who has that business responsibility

it’s a similar role to Neely, Sakic, Shanahan, Drury, Staios, Yzerman, Briere, Robitaille, Nill etc only hockey ops responsibility

Waddell on the other hand is the only NHL Pres & head of hockey ops - has hockey business responsibilities

Jim Nill reports to the Stars Pres - same setup as MB to Molson. Stars President has zero hockey knowledge or responsibilities, Nill has all of it, same w Tulsky (Canes).

So it’s really a question of whether ownership is willing to have bloated management or not because other than Waddell there is no way owners will give business purse string control to a “hockey guy”

Waddell has business experience having been responsible for Canes media deals, running concessions, ticket pricing, marketing etc

 

[Erika]

Sorry but that narrative is garbage. Gorton is the savvy manager who speaks English yes. But lets not throw Hughes under the bus and call him a puppet. Hughes has done a wonderful job as our GM and no, it's not all Gorton's moves.

There is no language hidden agenda here. It's two great hires and Hughes was the one who pushed for MSL. I think the puppet narrative needs to be thrown out the window. Yes, we needed someone there to speak French but its not any deeper than that.

I hear you, but do you think Hughes has Carte Blanche just like BargainBin when he reigned Supreme ? My read on the situation is obviously no because Hughes has to report to Gorton and it's completely normal. And I never said the word puppet here.
Sure Hughes probably plays a big role in all the contract negotiations, but when it comes to hockey decisions, Gorton has the final word. See Lane Hutson situation. Gorton just told us how it is... you can't be more transparent than that.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Pierre looking like Casey from Mr Dressup

Underrated hilarious comment!

 

[Habs Halifax]

I hear you, but do you think Hughes has Carte Blanche just like BargainBin when he reigned Supreme ? My read on the situation is obviously no because Hughes has to report to Gorton and it's completely normal.
Sure Hughes probably plays a big role in all the contract negotiations, but when it comes to hockey decisions, Gorton has the final word. See Lane Hutson situation. Gorton just told us how it is... you can't be more transparent than that.

Do you mean the comment "if you want him to play AHL, you better go with him". I would not be so gullible to that joke. That was said before the season started and it's was probably a pondering though and reviewing alternative options. It's what GM's do. You always look at option A, B, C. Fans are the ones who think about option A

Hughes is the GM and yes, Gorton helps. We are not the only team with this setup. Lets stop pumping up one to deflate the other.