The Good, the Inept, and the Stingy - hockey players

Increasingly a good front office is the key to success in the NHL. We take a look at who is managing their clubs toward the Cup and who is steering their teams toward thin ice

THERE IS A BROMIDE IN SPORTS these days that the most important position is not an on-field, on-court or on-ice spot The person occupying the key spot watches games from the luxury of a suite in the stadium or arena--and sometimes knows very little about the sport itself.

He is the owner and if you are weak at the crucial position, you are in trouble.

But because some teams are owned by corporations, run by invisible personages, an evaluation of team management throughout the NHL must also include the club president or general manager.

It would be foolish to claim the bosses in places such as Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Toronto don't know their hockey. Hall-of-Famers Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Bob Clarke, and Ken Dryden, respectively, man the key positions there.

But that doesn't make them any more astute at judging talent, evaluating coaches, making trades, or handling the media, all critical elements of their jobs.

Nor does the fact some decision-makers around the NHL were mediocre players prohibit them from superb careers in the front office. Glen Sather, Larry Pleau, George McPhee and Marshall Johnston hardly are remembered for what they did as players. But as front-office types, they've either blazed impressive trails or are beginning to do so.

"Where does it say you have to have been a great player to be a great manager?" Sather once said. "You're a great manager if you have great players."

Ah, but getting those, players is more than half the baffle. For instance, look at the ownership situations in the New York area, which provide three divergent approaches, only one of which has worked.

The Rangers, where Sather is now in charge, used to throw money around the way Derian Hatcher throws his weight around. In the previous two years, they couldn't find a free agent they didn't want, regardless of the expense.

And they lost, not making the playoffs in either season.

The Islanders, a team lost in the Long Island wilderness seemingly since Billy Torrey jumped ship to work in sunny Florida, have refused to open the pocketbook. In fact, under the last two penurious ownerships, GM Mike Milbury's hands were tied financially. Instead of bringing talent in the Island, he allowed too much of it to escape, particularly Ziggy Palffy.

And they lost, not making the playoffs since 1993-94.

Then them are the Devils, winners of two Stanley Cups in five years and prime contenders again in 2001. New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello is the only boss. He makes all of the off-ice decisions.

Under previous owner John McMullen, Lamoriello spent wisely. But if you crossed him by holding out, well, you generally were gone. And when a holdout was traded, Lamoriello brought back the likes of a Jason Arnott, who scored the Cup-winner last spring.

Imagine how much Lamoriello can do under the auspices of the mega-conglomerate YankeeNets, overseen by George Steinbrenner. While it might turn Lamoriello's stomach to open the vaults, he will have plenty of spending power.

Here's a look at who runs the other NHL teams and what kind of job they have done:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

ANAHEIM

With the Disney billions behind him, Jack Ferrara should have brought in a lot more support for Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. Any team with such a dynamic duo shouldn't be struggling to make the playoffs. If the owners are willing to part with some bucks, they should do it before Selanne and Kariya are washed up. This team needs to be more aggressive in trades and free agency.

CALGARY

New GM Craig Button can't be too aggressive because ownership hasn't exhibited much willingness to spend. But he is a creative guy who learned well in Dallas. Button will need to strike quickly if he plans to deal the inconsistent but valuable Valeri Bure. The Flames have been one of the most poorly run franchise in the league for nearly a decade.

CHICAGO

They're lucky most other teams in Chicago stink, too. The Bulls are even worse than the Blackhawks, and the Cubs are laughable. So is owner. William Wirtz, who has run a proud franchise into the United Center ice. Poor Mike Smith must deal with upper management, including Bob Pulford, that still thinks its the 1960s.

COLORADO

Despite several ownership changes, the Avalanche keep rolling over opponents. GM Pierre Lacroix works behind the scenes as well as anybody (witness the Ray Bourque deal) and is aggressive in pursuing talent to keep this team near the top of the standings. The Avs have all that Wal-Mart money behind them now, so watch out.

COLUMBUS

It's not fair to judge GM Doug MacLean on one year with the dregs that were given him in the expansion draft

DALLAS

Bob Gainey is working with Tom Hicks' money. Hicks is the guy who signed Alex Rodriguez for his Texas Rangers. No wonder the Stars contend and have a solid payroll of, well, stars. Gainey knows how to fill holes, and the team develops goaltenders well, even if they wind up trading them.

DETROIT

The Ilitch family gives GM Ken Holland plenty to work with. As the Red Wings grow old, though, it will be interesting to see how Holland handles retooling. Most impressive was the front office's work in solidifying the roster for the 1998 Cup run.

EDMONTON

It's Kevin Lowe's first year as GM and he must work with an ownership group that gladly allowed Sather to leave. Funding is limited, but this is a young team with potential.

LOS ANGELES

The guys who wanted to bring the NFL to L.A., Ed Roski and Philip Anschutz, control the purses. They have a new arena, a developing team, and a decent fan base. Will they allow GM Dave Taylor to re-sign franchise defenseman Rob Blake?

MINNESOTA

It's not fair to judge GM Doug Risebrough on one year with the dregs that were given him in the expansion draft.

NASHVILLE

David Poile once built up the Capitals and he's doing a fine job with the Predators, who have conquered uncharted territory. Owner Craig Leipold is enthusiastic and willing to spend. This is a franchise to watch.

PHOENIX

OK, No. 99, work your magic. If Gretzky is one-hundredth as successful as an owner as he was while playing, the Cup will settle in the Valley of the Sun. But he has some big decisions concerning Jeremy Roenick and several other vets.

SAN JOSE

The Gunds, who haven't fared too well with the NBA Cavaliers, are letting Dean Lombardi run the show in the Shark Tank. It's working, as San Jose takes a bite out of opponents with a young, fast, energetic group. Lombardi is a strong trader.

ST. LOUIS

Longtime exec Pleau, working with more Wal-Mart money (from owner Bill Laurie), has a Cup favorite. A good drafter, Pleau also has re-signed a bunch of key components for a championship run. Now he needs to remain patient with what he has wrought.

VANCOUVER

Brian Burke's work with a limited budget has been exemplary. The Canucks have a host of good youngsters, and they wisely let Mark Messier leave. However, Burke has been less savvy with his trades.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTA

Long considered a prime candidate for an NHL GM's job, Don Waddell suffered through a rugged opening season. But he didn't panic, and team president Stan Kasten, who also runs baseball's Braves and basketball's Hawks, is allowing this club to grow.

BOSTON

Harry Sinden stepped aside as GM, but he still has his hand in key decisions. Mike O'Connell is working under old-fashioned guidelines that rarely work nowadays, and owner Jeremy Jacobs is a bottom-liner. The bottom line is no Cup in Beantown for a while.

BUFFALO

Darcy Regier's moves have been hamstrung by the Dominik Hasek situation. The Sabres never have been aggressive enough in getting more offense to go with their work ethic and netminding. Regier needs to step it up for the Sabres to get back to the Cup Finals.

CAROLINA

Jim Rutherford's personnel or moves have been questionable, particularly his trades. The Canes have some impressive youngsters, though. Rutherford needs to spend Peter Karmanos' money more wisely, especially if attendance sinks in Raleigh.

FLORIDA

Owner Wayne Huizenga built a World Series champion, then gutted it. President Bill Torrey built four Stanley Cup winners on Long Island, then left. This team goes after people it wants (Pavel Bure, Roberto Luongo), but has yet to come close to recapturing the magic of 1996. The front office needs to make better decisions.

MONTREAL

How do you say turmoil in French? Andre Savard inherited a mess that included the gloried franchise being placed on the market. Poor drafts, lousy trades, an uninspiring home. These are Les Habitants?

OTTAWA

The Senators should be lauded for their strong stand with Alexei Yashin. GM Marshall Johnston has worked wonders with European talent, and they might have uncovered a goaltending gem in retread Patrick Lalime. If owner Rod Bryden can hold on financially, the Sens could be sperm.

PHILADELPHIA

Who hasn't Clarke alienated? The Eric Lindros situation was severely botched on both sides. Distractions helped sink the Flyers in the conference semifinals a year ago when they led New Jersey 3-1. Owner Ed Snider at some point must swallow hard and put this franchise back on track before John LeClair slips away.

PITTSBURGH

Mario saw how fruitless it is to try saving the Penguins without actually being on the ice. GM Craig Patrick does plenty with what little working capital he has, and Mario, even while a player/owner, must remember not to make decisions with his heart. Of course, if he revives the team's on-ice fortunes, it will add revenue for Patrick to spend to further improve the product.

TORONTO

The brilliant Dryden has yet to get his team to the the, partly because this is a top-heavy roster. But he jumped in head-first for Lindros, a strategy that's wisdom won't be known for a while. At least he has a strong management system that includes Pat Quinn.

TAMPA

When Tom Wilson took ownership, he brought some of the guidance and stability that marked his Detroit Pistons years ago. Rick Dudley slowly is developing a core of youngsters and is patient enough to let it blossom. He also has a good eye for the draft.

WASHINGTON

McPhee has AOL money behind him, which should make him more aggressive in the talent market. He also has as part of the ownership team a certain fellow with the initials of MJ who is familiar with championships from another sport Wonder if Michael Jordan can skate?

COPYRIGHT 2001 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group