Who are the other viable people to be GM

[Halibut]

The problem with everyone's logic here is that to poach assistants one would have to assume that the Oilers would have to engage in an interview process. Something the Oilers rarely... and I mean rarely do.

Last time we did that we got Eakins. The MacT clone.

Well going by Oilers standard procedure they've been grooming Bucky for years so obviously he's up next. It's going have to be something very different if we get any change at all. The word is it's going to take a lot more to get rid of MacT and Lowe.

 

[Burnt Biscuits]

Imagine if we draft McDavid and hire Shero and Bylsma. Pittsburgh 2.0

Where is our Michel Therrien to teach the group how to play defense and our equivalent to Evgeni Malkin?

They should hire me as POHO. I know a thing or two about winning.

But how many rings do you have?

 

[Epoh]

I'd rather see the Oilers get someone like Ray Shero

The work he did to turn that franchise around and win a Stanley cup would be immensely valuable here. Sure, Pittsburgh hasn't been great over the last few years, but never ending injuries and poor playoff showings with their cap crippling franchise players comes with it's own set of problems, problems that tend to be very difficult to overcome.

Regardless of who takes over in Edmonton though, they've got a huge mess to clean up after Mact's last two offseasons.

I still don't think he's a good GM, he was handed most of the players who make a difference on his team during their cup win and sure he filled holes but I think Mac T could 'maintain' a team like Pittsburgh. No thanks on Shero. Everyone worships him for the Neal and Goligoski trade and I agree it was a wholesale rip off but he's not what Oil need.

 

[Board Gordon]

But how many rings do you have?

They should hire Sonic. Heard he has tonnes.

 

[Del Preston]

They should hire Sonic. Heard he has tonnes.

The idea of a hedgehog running this team excites me greatly. Let's do it.


I'll echo those saying Paul Fenton. I'd trust Nicholson getting someone good, so long as Lowe and MacTavish are gone.

 

[Needles]

As others have posted, the only veteran GM that is out of contract is Regier at the moment.

He's currently Arizona's Senior Vice President and AGM.

 

[Tarus]

I still don't think he's a good GM, he was handed most of the players who make a difference on his team during their cup win and sure he filled holes but I think Mac T could 'maintain' a team like Pittsburgh. No thanks on Shero. Everyone worships him for the Neal and Goligoski trade and I agree it was a wholesale rip off but he's not what Oil need.

He took over a team 2nd last in the league, had them in the playoffs in one year, cup finals within 2 years, and a cup winner by year 3. It wasn't a coincidence that that it happened after he took over, he managed to find players(and coaches) to compliment and support that group.

Nor is Pittsburgh some kind of easy to maintain team either. Due to meddling ownerships, the loss of their best defenseman to age(Gonchar), and untouchable players with cap busting contracts(chronically injured and severely under-performing players when it comes to the playoffs I might add); they've lacked flexibility to acquire real depth to compete with the stronger teams out there since 2008.

He's a veteran GM with a track record of success, he's a hell of a trader(as you pointed out), and a solid judge of talent(if not extremely good at it). I'd rather go with a guy who's done some great work and is now getting out of a bad situation(Pittsburgh hired the Eastern Conference's version of Kevin Lowe for a reason, the owners want a sycophant over there), than any of the other former GMs listed in this thread who've never had anything more than average success in the NHL, or even worse - another total unknown.

 

[Beerfish]

I hate threads like this, actually i don't hate them they are good discussion but they illustrate the simple fact that 8 out of 10 of the average fans on this message board would do a better job being in charge of the oilers than the clown(s) in charge. I say this in all seriousness and 100% with a straight face.

Despite the laugh offs you would get from a few select fans and local and national media any rational prudent person who wants their team to be a success would do what is being done where after firing a GM.

Careful thought and dialogue, assemble a solid list of candidates, look at what each may bring to the table and after a thorough assessment make a hire.

The Oilers method, bring back a failed coach no one else in the league will hire Becasue he is your buddy, give him a front office title for 5 or 6 months, hand him the GM job with no search, no interview, nothing.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

The group I would love to see running this team next year

Whatever his title is: Kevin Lowe to Darcy Regier
GM: Mac-T to Paul Fenton
AGM: Howson to, either, Bob Green or Norm McIver( I don't care about former Oilerness)
HC + Some management decisions: No one to Mike Babcock

 

[popo]

Mike Babcock.
In order to attract him as coach, one carrot the Oilers should offer (that not all other clubs will) is the dual coach/GM position. Clear out MacTavish and Lowe, and give Babcock the power. Everyone will offer him a lot of money and term; but the chance to control his own roster might be inticing.
I don't thinking having both responsibilities is unrealistic. Nowadays the GM has very few in season trades to work on, and has a large support network with an assistant GM, director of player personel, cap specialist, legal support.

 

[rosemount289]

I have to................???

Mike Babcock.
In order to attract him as coach, one carrot the Oilers should offer (that not all other clubs will) is the dual coach/GM position. Clear out MacTavish and Lowe, and give Babcock the power. Everyone will offer him a lot of money and term; but the chance to control his own roster might be inticing.
I don't thinking having both responsibilities is unrealistic. Nowadays the GM has very few in season trades to work on, and has a large support network with an assistant GM, director of player personel, cap specialist, legal support.

I have to agree.........reading Terry Jones in today's Sun......Babcock is making something like $2 Million dollars per year..........what 's another million or two to become Coach and GM..........or at the very least the next Oiler's coach.

 

[Pressure]

Is it crazy to say I'd love for Ray Ferraro to be in the organization in some capacity? GM, coach or assistant??

 

[Zap Brannigan]

I think Ferraro's family in Vancouver and broadcasting allows him time to be with them is a reason why he wouldn't take an NHL job.

 

[Ace35]

GM - Colin Campbell
Coach - John Stevens or Brett Sutter

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Begins and ends with Mike Babcock

of course, that's assuming we can get Babcock...but if I'm Katz I throw money at Babcock and give him TOTAL AUTONOMY on this franchise...if he want to coach or be a GM...let him have it

if not him...Ray Shero...he get a raw deal in Pittsburgh IMO