There is a method to LaFontaine's expanding interview list -- a form of industrial espionage. What he's realized is you should interview as many people as possible to get all the ideas/thoughts about philosophies you can steal. It's a common practice in sports.
Which is also what Pat said when he first was introduced as PHO: that he intended to talk to a lot of people for their thoughts, recommendations, etc. on his list of candidates. I'm sure that's why his initial list has reportedly grown to include names he may not have been familiar with or thought of before.
If there's one concern raised by potential candidates, it's that LaFontaine keeps putting people in place. He hired Kevin Prendergast to take a look at the team's scouting operation. And replacing Ted Nolan - hugely popular in Buffalo - is not an easy first move, should that be the new GM's wish.
Pat hiring Prendergast is nothing more than bringing in a fresh new voice/mind on the scouting staff - which, considering everyone else on the existing scouting staff hired by Regier was retained, should hardly be seen as intimidating by outsiders looking at the GM position. Personally, if Pat learns of some other highly-touted scouts from other organizations that he'd like to add to the hockey dept., I'm all for mixing it up rather than staying with Devine's team as 100% status quo. And the new GM's authority shouldn't be seen as being undermined by Pat hiring staff when he's the President of the Hockey Operations.
As for Nolan, we've already heard enough in the reports at the time of the hire that the new GM will be free to make his coaching choice but that with the looming UFAs and trade deadline coming, it seems logical to me that the new GM's first decisions won't involve the coaching situation. He'll be addressing the roster and personnel first IMO.
That's a tough spot for a new GM--likely one with no track record of success as a GM--to be in. We all know there are some people who'll forever hold not hiring Nolan against the new GM. It's certainly a delicate situation.
Rewind to 1997, when Regier was hired as rookie GM and crucified for the Nolan decision.
With Kekalinen being hired a day later by the Blue Jackets as their GM, I am surprised it has taken this long. I am not arguing that we are not doing the right thing by interviewing but that I am surprised we a few days shy of going a month without a new GM.
That's not quite an analogous situation, though. John Davidson had been brought in as president of hockey operations three and a half months before Kekalainen got hired. Furthermore, Davidson had previously spent six years as the president of hockey operations for the Blues and presumably knew Kekalainen was the guy he wanted to bring in (since Kekalainen had previously been assistant GM and director of amateur scouting for the Blues)
Exactly - Davidson's familiarity and history working with Kekalainen in the past was clearly the impetus for his quick hire in Columbus. It's no different than LaFontaine's history/familiarity with Nolan being behind his quick choice as coach once Pat accepted the PHO position.
Eh, if Nolan can turn this team around a little bit, then I say let the new GM give him an honest chance for the permanent HC position. Doesn't mean they need to just give it to him like DR did with RR. If a GM feels he deserves it more than the other candidates interviewed, than give it to him, so long as they actually interview other worthy candidates.
Agreed - the new GM, along with Pat and Nolan, have to all get comfortable first in reassuring themselves they're on the same page. I don't see why Nolan wouldn't be given the season to prove he's the right guy. And, even if the new GM offers Nolan a longer-term new contract, it hardly locks him in or prevents him being fired before it ends if the fit no longer is there in a year or after because Nolan's no longer getting through.
