New GM Discussion Thread

[Sorinth]

Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it's impossible in today's NHL to ruin a team so permanently as Houle did. But why take chances? Why we just don't implement a thorough hiring process? I mean, we're trashing every micro-decision of our every GM, but when the time comes to hire a replacement, we're so relieved that the old guy is gone that we become shockingly cavalier about choosing his successor. How many decades are we willing to just throw the **** at the wall?

We absolutely should do a better job hiring people. But the fear that things might be worse is no reason to leave someone incompetent in charge.

Honestly I think Bergevin has destroyed the team he inherited just as badly as Houle did, the only difference was Houle had a mandate to cut costs, whereas Bergevin actually thought he was making the team better.

 

[Milhouse40]

No one thinking of Vincent Damphousse as President or GM?

Knows the league, has experience as a player rep, sounds intelligent when commenting on RDS, and definitely knows his hockey.

If this would all be true…..he would be doing something else than a part-time job on TV.
He has 0 experience in scouting, 0 experience in running an organization.

It blows my mind that many wants just another Gainey, Houle, Bergevin, Gauthier…..

 

[peate]

If this would all be true…..he would be doing something else than a part-time job on TV.
He has 0 experience in scouting, 0 experience in running an organization.

It blows my mind that many wants just another Gainey, Houle, Bergevin, Gauthier…..

I don't see you coming up with any suggestions?

 

[CHwest]

1) Memorial cup with the Rampart as Owner/GM/Coach. This is no small accomplishment that gets pushed under the rug.

2) Took the Avs from 2nd last to 3rd OA in his first year coaching. I remember the comments back when, he's overrated. He won the Jack Adams. The same comments you are making today about him were the same towards him back when as a coach/VP

3) He was coach and VP of hockey operations for the Avs. Those who think he has zero experience in management are wrong.

4) He left the Habs as a player cause he was tried of the Houle/Tremblay gong show and he left the Avs cause Sakic would not go after Radulov. Was he wrong?

The only negative thing you can find that I would agree with is he loses patience at times with stupid ideas from others he has to listen to.

Seems to me he's a quitter, he quit the Habs and he quit the Av's. No thanks, I want nothing to do with a person like that.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Bring in Cam Russell

He's drafted, developed and traded for some great teams.

 

[Saundies]

Bring in the best guy for the job. The best GM prospect. Regardless of... everything else.

Until that happens, we're always starting behind the 8-ball.

 

[Habs Halifax]

The year he won the Cup, it wasn’t the team he build. Since that year where Roy took control of the Ramparts, they didn’t even play 1 final of the QMJHL. The only year where they went to the final, it’s the year where Phillipe Boucher had the control of the team.

Sure, but he was involved and part of the success of that memorial cup run. He was named head coach Sep 29 before that season started but how long was he VP of hockey operations with the Rampart before he became Owner and General manager?

Twist it all you want, this is one of his accomplishments.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Seems to me he's a quitter, he quit the Habs and he quit the Av's. No thanks, I want nothing to do with a person like that.

He quit the Habs cause of the Houle/Tremblay gong show and he quit the Avs cause he wanted more of a management role and did not like that Sakic would not go after Radulov.

Was he wrong in either case?

 

[Vachon23]

If we named a French President, do you guys think an English GM will pass better ? Because Don Maloney could be a good candidate

 

[Milhouse40]

I'll try to sell my guy:

Mark Hunter

- Ex-Habs (brother ex-Nordiques), 11 years as an NHL players
- 6 years as Head-coach in the OHL
- 12 years as GM of the London Knight (Who's now known as a powerhouse dynastie)
- Made the PO every years, lost in the 3rd round 3 times, Lost in the finals once, won 3 championship
- 5 years as Assistant-GM for the Maple Leafs during their rebuild
- Top Candidate for any teams looking for a GM (close to get Toronto and Seattle's job)
- His organization developed good players like Tavares, Kane, Marner, Perry, Horvat, Domi and many more.
- Named GM of Team Canada for the WJC for this year

Isn't that the kind of guy we want?
Spent the last 20 years developing, scouting and working with young players.
Experience at the NHL level as Assistant-GM and he's ex-habs so he knows about Montreal.
And he known as an outstanding scouts….(Tireless Mark Hunter the most vital cog in Leafs rebuild)

Another article about him creating a powerhouse with his club and a stepping stone for NHL player
How Dale, Mark Hunter turned London Knights into a CHL powerhouse - Sportsnet.ca

 

[Milhouse40]

I don't see you coming up with any suggestions?

Read my post just up there….

 

[CHwest]

He quit the Habs cause of the Houle/Tremblay gong show and he quit the Avs cause he wanted more of a management role and did not like that Sakic would not go after Radulov.

Was he wrong in either case?

Yes he was wrong, winners aren't quitters.

 

[Mrb1p]

If we named a French President, do you guys think an English GM will pass better ? Because Don Maloney could be a good candidate

Lol he could be a good candidate for more crap years yeah

 

[Vachon23]

I'll try to sell my guy:

Mark Hunter

- Ex-Habs (brother ex-Nordiques), 11 years as an NHL players
- 6 years as Head-coach in the OHL
- 12 years as GM of the London Knight (Who's now known as a powerhouse dynastie)
- Made the PO every years, lost in the 3rd round 3 times, Lost in the finals once, won 3 championship
- 5 years as Assistant-GM for the Maple Leafs during their rebuild
- Top Candidate for any teams looking for a GM (close to get Toronto and Seattle's job)
- His organization developed good players like Tavares, Kane, Marner, Perry, Horvat, Domi and many more.
- Named GM of Team Canada for the WJC for this year

Isn't that the kind of guy we want?
Spent the last 20 years developing, scouting and working with young players.
Experience at the NHL level as Assistant-GM and he's ex-habs so he knows about Montreal.
And he known as an outstanding scouts….(Tireless Mark Hunter the most vital cog in Leafs rebuild)

Another article about him creating a powerhouse with his club and a stepping stone for NHL player
How Dale, Mark Hunter turned London Knights into a CHL powerhouse - Sportsnet.ca

I would strongly consider him, the only thing is I think we need a guy that had experience as GM before.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'll try to sell my guy:

Mark Hunter

- Ex-Habs (brother ex-Nordiques), 11 years as an NHL players
- 6 years as Head-coach in the OHL
- 12 years as GM of the London Knight (Who's now known as a powerhouse dynastie)
- Made the PO every years, lost in the 3rd round 3 times, Lost in the finals once, won 3 championship
- 5 years as Assistant-GM for the Maple Leafs during their rebuild
- Top Candidate for any teams looking for a GM (close to get Toronto and Seattle's job)
- His organization developed good players like Tavares, Kane, Marner, Perry, Horvat, Domi and many more.
- Named GM of Team Canada for the WJC for this year

Isn't that the kind of guy we want?
Spent the last 20 years developing, scouting and working with young players.
Experience at the NHL level as Assistant-GM and he's ex-habs so he knows about Montreal.
And he known as an outstanding scouts….(Tireless Mark Hunter the most vital cog in Leafs rebuild)

Another article about him creating a powerhouse with his club and a stepping stone for NHL player
How Dale, Mark Hunter turned London Knights into a CHL powerhouse - Sportsnet.ca

He should be on the short list for sure

 

[angusyoung]

Unfortunately, no, You're talking about the province that wants international companies to change their names to french names...

I think we MIGHT BE able to get away with an english speaking GM IF both the coach speaks french AND we have a french speaking, loud mouth hockey president like Roy to explain the GMs' moves.

Just hire the best,regardless of mother tongue,what 's the big deal nowadays?it borders on insanity to have that as a prerequisite.

 

[Sorinth]

If this would all be true…..he would be doing something else than a part-time job on TV.
He has 0 experience in scouting, 0 experience in running an organization.

It blows my mind that many wants just another Gainey, Houle, Bergevin, Gauthier…..

Why is Gainey in that list? He was GM of the Stars starting in the early 90s, he had well over 10years of GM experience when he came to us, and had won the Cup as GM.

 

[Milhouse40]

I would strongly consider him, the only thing is I think we need a guy that had experience as GM before.

True but as many said, he's the most responsible one for those great pick the Leafs made….and with London Knight he always find a way to keep his team at the top (And good top players don't last long in that league).

And a quote from his bother: "We like skill, so we develop a lot of skill."

 

[Yoor]

I'm not opposed to Roy because our self-imposed limitations makes the pool very shallow. So if it comes down to Roy or someone like Pierre McGuire, who let's not forget was a close contender last time, I'd take Roy.

That said, I don't think Roy's abrasive style and micro-managing tendencies would work long term. With luck we could still possibly win, but I doubt we would be able to build a long term contender with him at the helm.

Can someone PLEASE explain why on earth this guy gets any consideration for a GM job in the NHL (or anywhere for that matter)?

 

[Vachon23]

True but as many said, he's the most responsible one for those great pick the Leafs made….and with London Knight he always find a way to keep his team at the top (And good top players don't last long in that league).

And a quote from his bother: "We like skill, so we develop a lot of skill."

I wouldn’t have any problem if he was named Habs GM. Love his resume right know.

 

[Milhouse40]

Why is Gainey in that list? He was GM of the Stars starting in the early 90s, he had well over 10years of GM experience when he came to us, and had won the Cup as GM.

True...sorry about that….i know it's misleading but it was just to say that fans wants a familiar name instead of a competent one.

 

[dinodebino]

Bring in Cam Russell

He's drafted, developed and traded for some great teams.

Bobby Smith?

 

[Habs Halifax]

Yes he was wrong, winners aren't quitters.

Well he left the Habs as a player and became a game changer for the Avs where he won two more cups. Then he went to the Q and won a memorial cup. Won the Jack Adams as a NHL coach in his first year and then left cause he saw a conflict in management decisions as VP of hockey operations. Hasn't had a chance to win in management yet with another team.

Circle of life... Roy comes back to Montreal and the Cup returns afterwards

He's not a quitter in my books. He is a winner.

 

[dinodebino]

We had him in our courtyard, and we let him go to Tampa. That's the guy who should have been here. Bright, educated, part of hockey's new breed of GMs, fluently bilingual.

 

[peate]

True...sorry about that….i know it's misleading but it was just to say that fans wants a familiar name instead of a competent one.

Thanks for the info on Hunter, interesting, but does he speak localese?

Gainey I would also consider.