Confirmed with Link: Francis out as GM - Don Waddell named GM 5/8/18

[Hulkacaniac]

I am shocked I tell you, shocked. At first I thought Dundon was crazy for going straight for Francis, then rolled my eyes when I saw that he was keeping him in organization, but obviously it makes sense to keep things someone intact so that the draft and all goes smoothly. I just wonder, does Dundon like the building up of analytics and scouting resources that Francis has done but not managed player assets most effectively or is this the beginning of a slow clearing out of the Francis administration? Does he like some parts of the Francis philosophy but wants some other minds in there too or is this a turn towards the reactionary?

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Jason Karmanos want return a Carolina?

 

[Novacane]

Have they said any candidates? I’m guessing Vellucci is probably too close to Francis to be considered

 

[Joe McGrath]

I have a bad feeling about this. Not that I think Francis did a great job, but having a guy that knows nothing about hockey installing a new GM who isn’t patient seems like a recipe for Pierre McGuire to come in here and burn the franchise to the ground.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Have they said any candidates? I’m guessing Vellucci is probably too close to Francis to be considered

Nope. Just that the search will begin.

I have a bad feeling about this. Not that I think Francis did a great job, but having a guy that knows nothing about hockey installing a new GM who isn’t patient seems like a recipe for Pierre McGuire to come in here and burn the franchise to the ground.

Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

 

[sheriff bart]

... asking them to recite the works of Shakespeare in Klingon.

Shakespeare was most impressive in the original Klingon

 

[Drivebytrucker]

If you think we have amazing depth in our organization thanks to GMRF, you're insane

Which guys are going to be Top 6 forwards currently not on the team ? Maybe Necas?

Gauthier, Roy, Zykov, Foegele, Janne, Wallmark.... there's no sure things there

We may have just a bunch of Victor Rasks.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I have a bad feeling about this. Not that I think Francis did a great job, but having a guy that knows nothing about hockey installing a new GM who isn’t patient seems like a recipe for Pierre McGuire to come in here and burn the franchise to the ground.

That's my concern. Well, nothing to do now but sit back, eat some popcorn and see what unfolds.

 

[What the Faulk]

I am indifferent to this. It depends on who they hire.

I also don't think this means anything one way or the other about Peters' future. You certainly aren't going to fire a coach at this point in the season with the playoffs still mathematically in reach unless you've been planning on doing it for awhile and have a replacement lined up, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

Nope. Just that the search will begin.



Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

But I bet the first time was the last time. No one is going to hire McGuire as a GM.

 

[Hulkacaniac]

I'm guessing it went something like this: Francis showed Dundon all the detailed plans and projections he had and they had the team gradually becoming a contender. Dundon asked why it needed to take so long for us when other teams were able to get through quicker rebuilds. Francis said it was all in the plan. Dundon did not like that.

 

[Drivebytrucker]

Whats with the Pierre Mcguire hate?

He's a big fan of the Detroit model from the 1990s / 2000s and says the good teams fine hidden talent late in drafts and the key is good scouting

Who could argue wih that?

I have a bad feeling about this. Not that I think Francis did a great job, but having a guy that knows nothing about hockey installing a new GM who isn’t patient seems like a recipe for Pierre McGuire to come in here and burn the franchise to the ground.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

 

[TheBigKahuna]

New GM will fire Peters, and bring in his own coach. There's no reason to side with Adam Gold on this. Dundon did not choose Peters over Francis. Why should Francis hire a new coach? Makes no sense. Be patient.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I also don't think this means anything one way or the other about Peters' future. You certainly aren't going to fire a coach at this point in the season with the playoffs still mathematically in reach unless you've been planning on doing it for awhile and have a replacement lined up, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

I don't think Peters is going anywhere this season. I just meant that as a new GM comes in, they may want to hire their own coach (for next season), much like Francis did.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Well, there you have it. Hopefully we get Mark Cuban and not Daniel Snyder

 

[Unsustainable]

Uhhh

 

[What the Faulk]

If you think we have amazing depth in our organization thanks to GMRF, you're insane

Which guys are going to be Top 6 forwards currently not on the team ? Maybe Necas?

Gauthier, Roy, Zykov, Foegele, Janne, Wallmark.... there's no sure things there

We may have just a bunch of Victor Rasks.

The defensive depth is obvious, and you can say the same thing about uncertainty with virtually every team in the league.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

Not buying that for a second. Again, be patient.

 

[What the Faulk]

Okay, this is definitely concerning.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Whats with the Pierre Mcguire hate?

He's a big fan of the Detroit model from the 1990s / 2000s and says the good teams fine hidden talent late in drafts and the key is good scouting

Who could argue wih that?

I hope you’re kidding

 

[Drivebytrucker]

Now who's talking shit about pierre mcguire

 

[Blueline Bomber]

It does concern me that Dundon claims that he's not going to claim to know more than Francis in hockey-related topics, then proceeds to say basically that a few weeks later. And having the new GM report directly to Dundon is iffy.

Is it worse to have an absentee owner or a very active one that might not know what he's doing?

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Not buying that for a second. Again, be patient.

I thought that was the whole problem with Francis, being too patient?

 

[CandyCanes]

Obviously a lot of this has been brewing for a while. But anyone think Eric Staal helped Dundon make his decision on this last night haha?

Dundon watches game last night, Eric Staal scores 2. Dundon asks himself "Why the f*** is this guy still not on this team?"

Looking back at Ron Francis's GM resumé he's had a lot of blunders, and they've really added up to get us where we are now.


Major Blunders:
- Darling & Lack
- Not signing Eric Staal in the offseason for his $3.5M price
- Failing to bring in that much needed top 6 forward, which was preferable a C. Instead sat on his hands.

Meh stuff:
- Not doing anything at the trade deadline this year
- Kruger as 4th line C
- Never being proactive and firing Peters
- Having Hanifin jump straight into the NHL (Likely could of used another year of hockey)

Notable Good stuff:
- Drafting Aho
- TT + Bicks trade