Babcock's opinion matters simply because if other NHL executives and Coaches are speaking up about the ownership in Ottawa interfeing in Hockey Decisions then that sends an alarm out across the league that things in Ottawa are a mess.
Two Captains gone in 2 seasons, 5 coaches in 8 years and pretty much the most powerful non player in Hockey calling out the Sens owner - it matters whether you want to believe it or not.
Let's not forget Babcock coached Alfie and would have the inside info on why he left and I'm sure Alfie told Babcock all about Melnyck's meddling.
That's where you're wrong. Babcock's opinion does not matter because Babcock doesn't have any affiliation to this team. Babcock's position is with the Red Wings and his only tie to this organization is when he's standing behind the visitor bench at CTC. And you know what? If the owner in Ottawa wants to be involved with some of the hockey decisions, then that's his right. He signs the cheques for everyone. He alone is responsible financially for the entire Senators sports organization. He has the right to be involved. And if you think Melnyk is the only owner in the NHL who likes to be involved in some of the day-to-day operations of their team, then you're naive beyond belief. So again, Babcock should mind his business and shut the **** up.
I always find it funny that whenever someone in the media or the NHL itself says something negative about the Senators, there's always a contingent of fans who attack the messenger instead of the message itself. You can debate what he said about the situation but suddenly, one of the winningest coaches in the NHL, with 3 Cup appearances, one Cup, two Olympic gold medals and a playoff streak since he started coaching in the NHL, is now "OVERRATED!"
No it's called standing up for your team and not allowing people who don't have any business making comments to dump on your team.
But if Babcock came out and said: "You know what, the Senators are the best organization in the league." that quote would be brought any time an outsider disparaged the Senators.
If Babcock came out and said that he'd still be a ****ing idiot. Maybe if the day comes when this team is a dynasty then that kind of line might be of merit. But I guess when you have to use hyperbole to make a point, then the point you're trying to make isn't that strong to begin with.
Like it or not, the NHL is a very connected network. Guys like Babcock clearly know more about what's happening behind the scenes of teams in the league than we do because everyone talks. If Bryan Murray talks to Ken Holland at the GM meetings in Florida, Mike Babcock is going to know about. Considering that it's not outside the realm of possibility that the two of them still have a strong relationship (considering it was Murray that gave Babcock his first NHL job), he may have also heard straight from Bryan whose decision it was.
And whether you like it or not, everything you're saying there is speculation. Why would Murray call Mike Babcock after he fires MacLean to tell him that it was Melnyk's decision? Or why would Babcock call Murray after the firing? What could those two possibly have to talk about in that regard? We're talking about an organization that likes to keep it's affairs internally and suddenly Murray is going to start running around to other coaches and executives to whine about Melnyk's influence?
Thank you, someone needed to say this, and you all need to believe and accept that this is what's happening.
No we don't. People can and should have different points of view. But if you want to blindly believe things then that's totally up to you.
I understand what you're saying, but it's not like Melnyk came in at first and started all this mess. This is more in recent years, since he took a financial hit. Why? I don't know. Alfie didn't leave for a chance to win a cup in Detroit, come on. Everyone who believes that must think he's an imbecile. Melnyk tried to nickle and dime him and he left. Didn't you hear the tone of Murrays voice when he announced it?
Happy to see that both of them were tight enough to end his career properly in Ottawa, but if it was just Melnyk, I'm pretty sure Alfie would've hung up the phone.
Yeah, here we go again. Pure speculation and not even that strong a speculation at that. Most people have come to accept that Alfredsson decided to leave and that money had very little to do with it. But I guess he got nickle and dimed in Ottawa and went to Detroit to sign a
$3.5 million contract with bonuses...that makes a lot of sense. And then after he decided to retire, he was with the team within a week to have a ceremony honoring his retirement. As what? A favor to Melnyk who asked for a little good PR?
Because we've been hearing the same **** over and over for the past two days now. Babcock kind of hinted that this was Melnyk's decision, so it must be right! Maybe it really wasn't Melynk's decision, but just as everyone on this board has done, Maclean jumped to conclusions and ranted to Babcock about how he totally didn't deserve to be fired and it's all a conspiracy to make Cameron the head coach. People need to move on, the way Cameron has been talked about on this board and on the radio is disgusting, it happened, time to give the guy a chance. He's definitely qualified and he seems like a good guy, let's see what happens.
No, it's just super en vogue to spin every story to make Melnyk look like an evil tyrant. The more likely story that MacLean wasn't getting results for 120+ games, that the team wasn't seeing improvement defensively and that he was almost fired at the end of last year only to be given one more chance to start this year just doesn't play as well with the hipster Melnyk hater crowd.
