Comments on: What’s the best GM-Coach combo in the NHL?

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:33:21 +0000

True. True. Tallon definitely went for a one-hit wonder. Bowman taking what was left and making something happen is definitely commendable.

By: tcclark

tcclark — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:35:52 +0000

you can’t blame Holmgren or Lavy for anything that you’ve said. Trading Lupul was not a mistake. They traded him for Chris Pronger who lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup in his first year. That alone makes it a good move. Not to mention the fact that, when healthy, Pronger is still one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Jagr is the same thing. When healthy, he has been a point per game player. he was on that pace before this string of injuries. Schenn has had a concussion and a couple other fairly serious injuries, but when healthy he has impressed. Recently he’s been scoring a lot more and playing much more aggressively. Are you seeing a pattern?

As for Bryz, it is tough to perform when so much is expected of you. He has been a confident goaltender everywhere he’s been so it’s not like Holmgren or Laviolette could have predicted his “lost in the woods” comment. Just like they can’t predict injuries. I think you’re looking for Ms. Cleo.

By: comeonnowguys

comeonnowguys — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:09:26 +0000

Bowman also inherited a serious cap problem. He had to deal away nearly half of the skaters, and maneuver around two bad contracts (Campbell and Huet). The fact that he got anything worthwhile back in the deals and that Chicago is back in serious contention in just a year (while still not missing the playoffs) is an impressive start.

Tallon built the team, but he’s also the reason the Hawks had to firesale right after winning the Cup in 2010 is precisely the reason he’s no longer the GM.

I believe we’ll find out whether or not he is Top 5-worthy by the end of the trading deadline. Regardless, Coach Q is solid.

By: leninthebuff

leninthebuff — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:25:04 +0000

14-15 yrs together and they have won diddley squat

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:27:06 +0000

Except Dale Tallon actually built Bowman’s Cup-winner for him. Bowman’s a man I have a lot of respect for, believe me, but let’s list a few names Tallon was responsible for acquiring: Toews, Kane, Sharp, Versteeg, Campbell, Hossa, Havlat.

Recognize any of ‘em? Yeah, Bowman’s good at his job, and Quenneville’s good at his, but Tallon built the Blackhawks team that won the Cup. Bowman inherited what was already there. He’s an astute guy, but he’s not had to do much to prove himself with the war machine he was given when he started the job.

By: donttouchthedirtypenny

donttouchthedirtypenny — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:36:27 +0000

Ruff and Regier at 16? Too high.

By: jpelle82

jpelle82 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:15:30 +0000

philly at 4 is a little biased there. for an all or nothing grab for bryz he looks like a fool right now. should get knocked down a few pegs just for that signing. i do give credit for getting rid of carter and richards and couturier was a good draft pick. letting lupul go was a mistake, jagr looks like a bum, schenn has a long long way to go but hasnt done anything to impress…and dont forget that injury proned pronger debacle…lol have fun eating that one.

By: rgledz

rgledz — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:27:37 +0000

Stan Bouman and Coach Q should be in the top 5. No question about it.

By: tmoore4075

tmoore4075 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:11:02 +0000

A little early to put Winnipeg’s tandem on the bottom five but I guess hard to move them up for the same reason.

I think the list is pretty accurate.

By: greggoldberg

greggoldberg — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:56:37 +0000

I know it’s from CSN Philly, so I’m not that surprised, but Holmgren/Laviolette at #4 is silly. I’d drop them a bit, maybe to the 7-10 range.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:34:43 +0000

Bottom 5 is absolutely no surprise at all

By: bigtganks

bigtganks — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:29:55 +0000

I think Canucks should be up a spot or two, but the Hawks at 9 and Blues at 13? Both should be higher. Hawks probably top 5 as well at least.

By: Mike Halford

Mike Halford — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:12:50 +0000

Sorry, that sentence was worded funny. Meant to say they’ve made the playoffs every year under the Holland regime. It’s been tweaked to reflect that. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

By: ThatGuy

ThatGuy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:08:42 +0000

He kind of rakes Fletcher over the coals a little bit. Apparently he doesn’t realise that when Fletcher came in, the Wild had absolutly nothing in their cubbard due to Risebrough. Fletcher stated three years ago it had to start with the farm team, and now they have one of the best prospect systems in the game. It hasn’t resulted in much success on the ice at the NHL level but its coming.

By: challer9

challer9 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:16:26 +0000

The last time the Red Wings missed the playoffs was 1989-90.