My impression of this is that it varies by team. The President of Hockey Operations that some teams have seems to act in the way you're describing: partly a strategic advisor but he also sort of represents the owner(s) and acts as someone for the GM to "answer to." With some teams, especially the smaller ones, I get the impression that the GM can act pretty unilaterally: Chayka in Arizona is formally both the GM and the Pres of Hockey Ops, as an example. But then you have Edmonton where they're in the middle of a GM search and who was actually making/influencing decisions during the Chiarelli years seems to be a hot topic. There's a case where they could replace the GM but keep this cloud of "advisors" intact and not really change much.I've been mostly lurking on HF the last year or so, but I will chime back in on this, because it's something I've been curious about for a while now. That is, how much oversight do NHL GMs actually have? I'd always assumed that like most jobs on the planet, Fenton (or Fletcher, or Chiarelli, or whoever) would have someone else at the very least looking over their shoulder recommending for/against moves, putting their feet to the fire, etc. (especially since they can actually be fired). But now I'm really wondering if they're not more like medieval kings: they can basically do whatever they want, just being mindful of the torches and pitchforks that may come out if they mess up, and sometimes you get a good "roll of the monarchy dice", and other times you don't.
It just seems crazy to me that Fenton wouldn't actually have a whole team of advisors and staff around him helping to make moves.
Every organization is different but there is definately people watching the GM and giving opinions on moves. I just wonder if the people in these roles for MN are willing to say “that’s dumb” because Fenton brought them in. I also get this weird sense from Fenton that he is just the cockiest human alive. Some of his interviews he makes the reporters feel like they’re just idiots and that he knows something that nobody else does. I would’nt be suprised if he just thinks his opinion is the right one at all times and just shakes off everyone else’s opinion.I've been mostly lurking on HF the last year or so, but I will chime back in on this, because it's something I've been curious about for a while now. That is, how much oversight do NHL GMs actually have? I'd always assumed that like most jobs on the planet, Fenton (or Fletcher, or Chiarelli, or whoever) would have someone else at the very least looking over their shoulder recommending for/against moves, putting their feet to the fire, etc. (especially since they can actually be fired). But now I'm really wondering if they're not more like medieval kings: they can basically do whatever they want, just being mindful of the torches and pitchforks that may come out if they mess up, and sometimes you get a good "roll of the monarchy dice", and other times you don't.
It just seems crazy to me that Fenton wouldn't actually have a whole team of advisors and staff around him helping to make moves.
I have to say, Paul's strange conduct, his strange moves with no real prediction for the future, his lack of seeming to handle problems, I don't know.
1. I like two of the trades. I was underwhelmed by #64's return, but I am OK with Fiala, he'll be a gamer IMO. We'll see.
2. You already know how I feel about Rask. I didn't want Nino traded. He's too good, even though he wasn't producing. I think Nino should have gotten prospects or picks and could have been waiting on until the draft to move us up the draft board. Because...
3. Zucker is now your movable piece, but we kind of need Zucker. I think we do at least. And now you have a disgruntled Zucker, who by all accounts (Russo), has not even HEARD from Fenton regarding what happened.
4. You don't want the locker room to be against the GM. You just don't. They don't have to be buddies, or even like him, but it's not good to have a locker room who mostly hates the GM. It's unhealthy for the team and product and results.
5. I am afraid of what he will do with JEE. This kid is the biggest revelation this season. Whatever happened in his head after Iowa worked. He is playing as good as Koivu, but is faster. I am serious. And I am afraid Fenton will either trade him, or bury him. Because...
6. We now have a Staal and Koivu back on the depth chart. Unless Fenton keeps JEE, puts Staal as a #2 center, and Koivu as a 3rd, JEE isn't playing as many minutes as he needs to be. Unless this is a blip and JEE goes back to being a nobody, he needs maximum minutes. I honestly see this kid becoming a perfect #2 shutdown center who can also put up 50 points a year. He has 9 points in his last 17 games, while playing a major shutdown role against the best lines of other teams. He has been big for us. This org needs to keep and promote this kid and let him continue to grow. 6'2'' 205 with IQ and skill. For the love of god don't **** that up.
7. Fenton just seems to have no foresight. But, I don't know, I am not there, I don't know him, I don't know if he simply wanted to move a lot of weight at wholesale and then...well I don't know.
8. I am just confused. I have defended two of his three trades. But I can't defend the lack of future foresight.
Lots. About $20m to re-sign RFAs (Fiala, Eriksson-Ek, Donato and (maybe) Aberg) and replace/re-sign UFA's (Fehr, Brown, Hunt/Bitetto).I hope I’m wrong but Koivu will come back as 1 or 2. Ek will get pushed down and lose minutes. Unless somehow the culture is really going to change which I hope it has this will happen.
I was hoping Zucker would find a home elsewhere but that didn’t happen. He’s great as a cherry picker for Granny and Staal and now Donato to feed but I’m not sure come playoffs ( if that happens) he won’t disappear again.
I understand Fenton is trying to change it up but how much room is there really to bring in impact players with Koivu, Suter and Parise eating how much cap? What options does Fenton have but to make the sort of sideways deals he’s made?
Every organization is different but there is definately people watching the GM and giving opinions on moves. I just wonder if the people in these roles for MN are willing to say “that’s dumb” because Fenton brought them in. I also get this weird sense from Fenton that he is just the cockiest human alive. Some of his interviews he makes the reporters feel like they’re just idiots and that he knows something that nobody else does. I would’nt be suprised if he just thinks his opinion is the right one at all times and just shakes off everyone else’s opinion.
Even this year they've looked faster. Not necessarily in the skating but in the speed of the play, especially in the offensive zone.Fiala-Staal-Parise
Greenway-JEE-Kunin
Donato-Koivu/Rask-Zucker
Foligno-Rask/Koivu/XXX-Fehr
Should be a faster team next year. I like that Fiala, Kunin, JEE all have good motors. Still slow down the middle, but some quick wingers to get in on forecheck. Replacing Zucker with Kaprizov and Koivu/Staal with a legit C prospect and we will be looking Ok.
I think Rask contributes next year. He's been embarassed and ridiculed and if he has any pride he will show up in careeer shape. We will see.
You want to avoid being the next ThibodeauEvery organization is different but there is definately people watching the GM and giving opinions on moves. I just wonder if the people in these roles for MN are willing to say “that’s dumb” because Fenton brought them in. I also get this weird sense from Fenton that he is just the cockiest human alive. Some of his interviews he makes the reporters feel like they’re just idiots and that he knows something that nobody else does. I would’nt be suprised if he just thinks his opinion is the right one at all times and just shakes off everyone else’s opinion.
What gave it away?I was down enough on Fenton prior to listening to latest Russo-Souhan podcast, but it is a little unsettling to just have that backed by other people closer to the league.
Fenton may be not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Not sure if you are joking, but Russo said he had people across the league asking him for infoon Granlund being a bad dude because they couldnt believe that Fenton didnt ask more than Fiala. They thought there had to be some lockeroom drama.What gave it away?
Yes I was being sarcastic. I'm not a fan of Fenton AT ALL. I wanted BriseBois, badly.Not sure if you are joking, but Russo said he had people across the league asking him for infoon Granlund being a bad dude because they couldnt believe that Fenton didnt ask more than Fiala. They thought there had to be some lockeroom drama.
I really wanted briseboisYes I was being sarcastic. I'm not a fan of Fenton AT ALL. I wanted BriseBois, badly.
I like Donato and Fiala, but we gave up way too much to get them. Fenton is either incompetent or just REALLY bad at being a GM.
I really wanted brisebois
He wasn’t, but I still wanted him.Didn't look like BriseBois was available.
Then why'd he interview for the job?Didn't look like BriseBois was available.
Did he?Then why'd he interview for the job?
Then why'd he interview for the job?