Speculation: Hockey Ops Roulette (The Chayka Syndrome)

[_Del_]

If a new GM wants Tocc gone, he's gone. Even He doesn't make enough to handcuff a new GM that way. If you believe in the new GM, you believe in his judgement. You don't tell someone, "I like your plan, you've got the job, but you can't fire this guy or trade these guys."

 

[Mosby]

I don't see how you potentially let Sullivan trade key pieces like OEL and Kuemper and then name Burke as GM the next day.

"Ok, Sean, you're GM. But remember your plan for those two guys? Funny story..."

If those trades go down the job is Sully's.

 

[hbk]

I don't see how you potentially let Sullivan trade key pieces like OEL and Kuemper and then name Burke as GM the next day.

"Ok, Sean, you're GM. But remember your plan for those two guys? Funny story..."

If those trades go down the job is Sully's.

I think it was Sullivan all along and the owners just wanted an education.

 

[Foggy1097]

I think it was Sullivan all along and the owners just wanted an education.

Me too. And a new AGM for him to work with.

 

[Grimes]

I think it was Sullivan all along and the owners just wanted an education.

Yeah feeling this way too. May also be why they haven't interviewed the big names like Hextall so they don't piss then off for wasting their time.

 

[AZviaNJ]

Sully or Burkie, just hire someone NOW!! Chayka quit over 6 weeks ago.

 

[rt]

I think it was Sullivan all along and the owners just wanted an education.

Perhaps what they’ve learned is what has led them back to Sullivan? Could it be that they’ve found he’s well-respected and his outlook/philosophy is more aligned with the general consensus of other respected hockey minds than they might have expected.

Maybe they initially figured he was too green and wanted more experience. Then when they went out and talked to all these other guys, they figured they had what they needed right here and can probably get it nice and cheap.

 

[_Del_]

I think that's the most likely scenario. I don't think he was the first choice, but they like him as AGM. And the more they talked and gathered opinions, the more they came around to seeing Sully as a real candidate.

 

[TheLegend]

Sully or Burkie, just hire someone NOW!! Chayka quit over 6 weeks ago.

If they stay with Sullivan it won't matter..... he's already as up to speed as anyone could be now.

 

[XX]

Wonder if there's any interest in revisiting Todd Nelson as a coach with the Stars success

 

[Puck possession wins]

I don't mind promoting Sullivan, but that still doesn't rid the front office with the stench of the London Knights.

Goldberg, Hofford and all the other guys with ties to London stay on if he gets promoted.

Partially the reason why I was/am rooting for Burke or Armstrong for that matter.

 

[RABBIT]

Washington gets Lavi, one of my two favorite coaches off the market.

 

[rt]

Washington gets Lavi, one of my two favorite coaches off the market.

That’s kinda like finding out we were never really in the Tavares sweepstakes his UFA year, lol.

 

[rt]

I don't mind promoting Sullivan, but that still doesn't rid the front office with the stench of the London Knights.

Goldberg, Hofford and all the other guys with ties to London stay on if he gets promoted.

Partially the reason why I was/am rooting for Burke or Armstrong for that matter.

Why would you assume Sullivan would keep Chayka’s hires?

Assuming the story of the prospect testing scandal really being the fault of Chayka and the strength and conditioning boss, what is it about Goldberg and Hofford that rankles?

 

[RABBIT]

That’s kinda like finding out we were never really in the Tavares sweepstakes his UFA year, lol.

Trueeee

 

[rt]

Wonder if there's any interest in revisiting Todd Nelson as a coach with the Stars success

I think I had him and Tocchet tied for my top preference the last time. I was blinded by all the Cup rings. Lol.

Nelson is a guy with such a long track-record of successful (winning more than losing, being in playoffs consistently and even a few championships) professional head coaching. He didn’t just get hooked up with a job in the NHL right away like it was nothing because he was such a good guy.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Sad to think what this team could have been under Nelson, soft, or not.

 

[rt]

Trueeee

See?

 

[Puck possession wins]

Why would you assume Sullivan would keep Chayka’s hires?

Assuming the story of the prospect testing scandal really being the fault of Chayka and the strength and conditioning boss, what is it about Goldberg and Hofford that rankles?

Merulo has been very open about continuing Chayka's process and methodologies in the front office. So it would be safe to assume Sullivan would keep everybody on staff on and continue with John's vision. Not to say he wouldn't make a change or two.

And Goldberg and Hofford are more in on the prospect testing scandal than people realize. That whole front office knew what was going on, they just kept their mouth's shut.

Plus, anybody with any history connected to the London Knights needs to go, especially them. I could tell you numerous stories that OHL front office people have told me, about shady back diving deals the Knights have participated in (including Goldberg and Hofford within them)

 

[rt]

1. Merulo has been very open about continuing Chayka's process and methodologies in the front office.

2. So it would be safe to assume Sullivan would keep everybody on staff on and continue with John's vision. Not to say he wouldn't make a change or two.

3. And Goldberg and Hofford are more in on the prospect testing scandal than people realize. That whole front office knew what was going on, they just kept their mouth's shut.

4. Plus, anybody with any history connected to the London Knights needs to go, especially them. I could tell you numerous stories that OHL front office people have told me, about shady back diving deals the Knights have participated in (including Goldberg and Hofford within them)

1. Has this been said publicly? I don’t recall Meruelo making any statement beyond the official press release.

2. I’m not sure that’s safe to assume at all. Chayka’s plan was an abject failure, an unmitigated disaster. I see no reason why Sullivan, who’s 20 years older and very much his own man would go on carrying a torch from the disgraced boy wonder.

3. That doesn’t align with the stories that have come out. Is this inside knowledge that you have or are you referencing something I missed?

4. Have the Knights suffered for any of this or have they gained an advantage? Seems like whatever the Knights may or may not have done had resulted in a net-positive. They’re a premier (maybe THE premier) CHL franchise.

 

[Puck possession wins]

1. Has this been said publicly? I don’t recall Meruelo making any statement beyond the official press release.

2. I’m not sure that’s safe to assume at all. Chayka’s plan was an abject failure, an unmitigated disaster. I see no reason why Sullivan, who’s 20 years older and very much his own man would go on carrying a torch from the disgraced boy wonder.

3. That doesn’t align with the stories that have come out. Is this inside knowledge that you have or are you referencing something I missed?

4. Have the Knights suffered for any of this or have they gained an advantage? Seems like whatever the Knights may or may not have done had resulted in a net-positive. They’re a premier (maybe THE premier) CHL franchise.

1. IIRC Meruelo openly praised Chayka's thought process' and decision making when they announced his contract extension last fall, particularly at the press conference.

2. John's plan had his hits and misses, I think Steve would keep the current staff on since he's worked and gotten to know them over the last few years and should feel comfortable with them.

3. I know a couple people who have worked in the front office with them and have confirmed that to me ... won't give out any names or info though.

4. Do you wonder how the Knights always get those to American commits? They funnel dark money (for lack of a better term) to those guys to ensure they play for them instead of other OHL franchises. If you look at their drafting record, they have never been able to develop talent in the mid to later rounds of the OHL draft, unlike other franchises that have done that (i.e. Erie and Soo) The only reason London never gets caught (unlike Niagara that did) is because they're the biggest cash cow for the OHL and David Branch would never touch them. Everybody in the OHL knows what they do and nothing is done about it.

Sidenote, I worked for Erie's Hockey Ops during the 2017 OHL title run, so I kinda learned everything firsthand about the OHL, operations, etc, so I am a little biased.

 

[LuckyNumber11]

Honestly they could take another 6 weeks and hire the GM after the draft for all I care. Just get this hire right for f***s sake

 

[rt]

1. IIRC Meruelo openly praised Chayka's thought process' and decision making when they announced his contract extension last fall, particularly at the press conference.

2. John's plan had his hits and misses, I think Steve would keep the current staff on since he's worked and gotten to know them over the last few years and should feel comfortable with them.

3. I know a couple people who have worked in the front office with them and have confirmed that to me ... won't give out any names or info though.

4. Do you wonder how the Knights always get those to American commits? They funnel dark money (for lack of a better term) to those guys to ensure they play for them instead of other OHL franchises. If you look at their drafting record, they have never been able to develop talent in the mid to later rounds of the OHL draft, unlike other franchises that have done that (i.e. Erie and Soo) The only reason London never gets caught (unlike Niagara that did) is because they're the biggest cash cow for the OHL and David Branch would never touch them. Everybody in the OHL knows what they do and nothing is done about it.

Sidenote, I worked for Erie's Hockey Ops during the 2017 OHL title run, so I kinda learned everything firsthand about the OHL, operations, etc, so I am a little biased.

1. We've seen an awful lot laid bare since then. Haha.
2. I don't see that as a foregone conclusion. If my VP quit and I got his job, I wouldn't keep all of the managers I work with.
3. I see. Well, I can't argue with that. If it's true that Hofford and Goldberg have culpability for the sanction we ultimately got, they should be fired.
4. That all sounds great and I'm jealous. I wish we had something like that going here.

 

[AZviaNJ]

Washington gets Lavi, one of my two favorite coaches off the market.

Lavi's a good fit with a veteran team like Washington, not sure how he would do here or if he'd want any part of the type of rebuilding required.

 

[Stumbledore]

Honestly they could take another 6 weeks and hire the GM after the draft for all I care. Just get this hire right for f***s sake

Yeah, that's what you're saying now. But you know you're going to hate yourself the next morning.