Confirmed with Link: Conte Out as Director of Scouting

[Wingman77]

Well he was obviously just pushed aside and he pretty much said exactly that.... not sure how you can see it any different?

It's not a big deal, Shero deserves to choose his people. But there is no need to try and spin it.

Yup and I don't think there are many that disagree that the ownership and Shero deserve to chose their own people - they are in charge after-all.

The issue is how getting rid of what was, has been handled, as has been the case with essentially everything since the new ownership has been here - regardless of whether the changes were for the better or not.

They've gotta give respect to get it.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yup and I don't think there are many that disagree that the ownership and Shero deserve to chose their own people - they are in charge after-all.

The issue is how getting rid of what was, has been handled, as has been the case with essentially everything since the new ownership has been here - regardless of whether the changes were for the better or not.

They've gotta give respect to get it.

Don't really think it is an issue. Maybe for some people, but I don't really see what else Shero could of done for Conte since he wanted a new head scout.

 

[JimEIV]

And Conte pretty much implied Lou's job was ceremonial in his commrnts in the TG article.

Succession Planning has pretty much been a euphemism for fire Lou and Conte..

The ******** spin is what bothers me, the most.

Just say what it is. You can tell the truth in a positive light. You can say it's a new beginning while paying homage to the past...but when take the sneaky dick approach you can't do any of that.

 

[Bleedred]

Conte hit the jackpot in 2009 with two really great defensemen,

Then we went and squandered one of them, by waiving him and letting the Caps screw with his development.

Sorry guys, I'm bored as hell and having way too fun with this Urbom schtick.

 

[Camille the Eel]

also don't forget plucking both Brian Rafalski and John Oduya out of the Swedish leagues - those were two of the better Devils moves in the era. Both Lou and Conte can chalk those up on a brightly positive side of their ledgers.

 

[ghoti]

I love Conte and I'll miss him.

He always looks like he just got off a boat.

 

[forceten]

It's a bittersweet symphony that's life...

 

[glenwo2]

It's a bittersweet symphony that's life...

actually it's "this" life. At least that's how the lyrics go.

 

[MultipleMiggs1]

And Conte pretty much implied Lou's job was ceremonial in his commrnts in the TG article.

Succession Planning has pretty much been a euphemism for fire Lou and Conte..

The ******** spin is what bothers me, the most.

Just say what it is. You can tell the truth in a positive light. You can say it's a new beginning while paying homage to the past...but when take the sneaky dick approach you can't do any of that.

Seems like Lou was basically fired but the ownership gave him a Sopranos style "No-Show" job out of respect for what he's done for the franchise and the level of respect he has around the leauge. He'll ride out a couple of seasons in this role and then retire with fanfare.

 

[ghoti]

Seems like Lou was basically fired but the ownership gave him a Sopranos style "No-Show" job out of respect for what he's done for the franchise and the level of respect he has around the leauge. He'll ride out a couple of seasons in this role and then retire with fanfare.

If you think Lou is interested in a "no show" job, you don't know the first thing about him.

He'll show up every day, perform whatever duties he's tasked with, stay out of Shero's way, continue to be a resource (which is an incredibly valuable asset), and represent the Devils organization.

And if he sees standards slipping or things happening he feels are unacceptable, my guess is he doesn't stay quiet about it but gets his point across in the most professional way possible.

He'll leave whenever he wants to. Might be tomorrow, might be in 10 years.

 

[JimEIV]

If you think Lou is interested in a "no show" job, you don't know the first thing about him.

He'll show up every day, perform whatever duties he's tasked with, stay out of Shero's way, continue to be a resource (which is an incredibly valuable asset), and represent the Devils organization.

And if he sees standards slipping or things happening he feels are unacceptable, my guess is he doesn't stay quiet about it but gets his point across in the most professional way possible.

He'll leave whenever he wants to. Might be tomorrow, might be in 10 years.

Lou's job is shinning the trophies in the trophy now.

His biggest decision will be which silver polish to use.

 

[ghoti]

Lou's job is shinning the trophies in the trophy now.

His biggest decision will be which silver polish to use.

According to you.

I think what I posted is closer to the truth.

If he leaves before the season is out, that's a good indication you are right.

 

[NJDevs26]

Thread is not about Lou...Conte deserves his own thread so let's keep it on topic.

 

[JimEIV]

According to you.

I think what I posted is closer to the truth.

If he leaves before the season is out, that's a good indication you are right.

Marcel Pronovost was a member of the Devils scouting staff until he literally died at the age of 84. How much scouting you think he was doing? That is the path they wanted Conte to take.

Max McNabb remained in the Devils organization for ages after he was removed from all his duties in 1987 as GM/President...
I don't think he "retired" from the Devils until 1997 or 98

 

[JimEIV]

Billy MacMillan and Marshall Johnston also remained in the Devils organization for age after they were removed from their positions.

I wish Conte could some how stay in some capacity, but as he said to TG he wasn't interested in a "courtesy job"

 

[glenwo2]

It's almost like you're implying, Jim, that Lou is embarassing himself by accepting what pretty much could be nothing more than a "courtesy job".

Of course Conte himself actually, in no uncertain terms, stated it without actually saying that Lou has nothing more than a courtesy job but anyway....


I appreciate Conte and what he's achieved as Director of Scouting for so many years. Yes, he's responsible for the gaffes but he's also responsible for Home-Runs and for that, I say "Thank you, Dave".

 

[JimEIV]

It's almost like you're implying, Jim, that Lou is embarassing himself by accepting what pretty much could be nothing more than a "courtesy job".

Not at all...Good companies never sever ties with their executives.
Every CEO and his second that is still alive has an office and is retained in a consulting capacity at the company I work for. That's exactly what the Devils have always done. That's what the majority of companies do.

I wouldn't expect anything different.

Conte just said, "No Thanks"

Which tells me he still wants to work in a more meaningful role than just consulting or special assignment. Conte doesn't appear to be a company man like Lou is.

 

[ghoti]

Not at all...Good companies never sever ties with their executives.
Every CEO and his second that is still alive has an office and is retained in a consulting capacity at the company I work for. That's exactly what the Devils have always done. That's what the majority of companies do.

 

[Techno Devil*]

Not that this is a shock, especially after the dawn of AL (Anno Loumini) era of time, but are Harris and Shero not aware that this man was responsible for drafting Former, and Eternal Bill Masterson Award for Sportsmanship, Perseverance, and Dedication to Ice Hockey winner, Legend Comma King, Ken Daneyko?

All jokes aside, I did think it was a nice gesture to let Conte see his last draft class through.

 

[schoenfeld]

All jokes aside, I did think it was a nice gesture to let Conte see his last draft class through.

nice gesture yes, but it would have been a poor move to not let a guy whose probably been preparing for this draft class for 2+ years to not see things out, i'm sure whatever contes people have already gathered in advance of next years draft class weren't exactly dumped right in the recycle bin either.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I wouldn't really jump to any conclusions if Conte's replacement is someone Shero worked with in Pittsburgh. Drafting is always a group decision, and there's probably smart people in every organization that would be great head scouts but won't get the chance.

For example, the Canucks' euro scout last year thought that it would be insane to pass on Nylander. He was the guy the scouting staff relied on to project Nylander and his value to a team, and they still didn't go with him. We don't know who exactly was at fault for Pittsburgh's drafting issues, and even then, they've been very Devils-esque in that they've hit on a bunch of defensemen lately but haven't had the same luck with forwards.

 

[Roomtemperature]

nice gesture yes, but it would have been a poor move to not let a guy whose probably been preparing for this draft class for 2+ years to not see things out, i'm sure whatever contes people have already gathered in advance of next years draft class weren't exactly dumped right in the recycle bin either.

Most scouting moves are made after the draft is over since doing it before makes no sense since the work is already done and there isn't time to change anything.

 

[BurntToast]

I met Conte and Lou in Lake Placid, NY for USA's development camp. Conte looked at me and winked because I was rocking Devils garb. He took off before I could say hello, but I did get a picture with the godfather.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Was expected but i dont want anything to do with his old pens scouting staff.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Shero simply allowed Conte's contract to expire, correct? I wonder if Conte is on the list of people for the position, but Shero just hasn't decided yet.