WWYDW: Playoff Formats
4 years ago
*Author’s note: with the news of Jason Botchford’s passing, it didn’t feel right to publish this and bump Cat and Petbugs’ wonderful eulogy down the site in service of a weekly column.
As we approach the third round of the playoffs, it’s a good time to take stock of how we got here, and the upsets that happened along the way.
It’s been compelling hockey, to be sure; but it’s also re-ignited debates about the current playoff format and whether or not the NHL does enough to stack the deck in favour of teams who perform well in the regular season. What changes, if any, would you like to see to the playoff format?
Last week I asked: Do you think the Canucks need to add a President of Hockey Operations? If so, who would you like to see in that role?
Fred-65:
You’d have to think it’s a slam dunk that a knowledgable person of sober reflection is badly needed. There seems to be little depth to the thinking of Vcr management who put more store on reacting to code blue than sitting down and drawing up a long term plan. The fact that Aquaman did not speak to various candidates means little, now if he were to say no one be it direct or through an intermediary spoke to Mr. Lombardi that would mean something. Aquaman is simply playing with words. Vcr badly needs a person who can provide a sober reflection. It seems to me that the current management simply put out fires. Now if we could lure John Davidson or simialr away from their current situation and getb the train back on the tracks that would be terrific not only for the club but maybe help for JB
ikillchicken:
Yes they should hire somebody, but no, I’m not going to offer up a specific name. In fact, I’d be happiest if, whoever they hire, I’ve never heard of them in my life. Teams tend to endlessly recycle the same executives, constantly favoring big names with ample experience and some kind of past success. If you actually look at most of their track records though, they’ve got a longer history of failure than actual success. So forget all that. Just focus on hiring somebody smart without a lot of hockey baggage who is capable of making rational, informed, business decisions based on the info they are provided.
Goon:
Re-hire Mike Gillis as POHO. Regardless of what you think of the job he’d do (I personally think he’d be great, but I know many around here disagree) watching the Vancouver media lose their minds would be completely and totally worth it.
This is the same reason I want to see Gillis hired in Edmonton.
Billy Pilgrim:
How about Ralph Krueger? Despite his time with the Oilers, he is a good hockey mind. His time as Chairman of Southampton FC (English Premiership) gives him experience in perhaps the biggest sports league in the world. As a bonus, he is considered as a leadership expert in his role with the World Economic Forum. Bit of a renaissance guy. Could do worse.
wohojowitz:
First up is why Aquilini is commenting on media speculation. If he goes down that rabbit hole he will be issuing denials a dozen times a day. So now it appears that not only the Canucks need a press agent to try and control the message but Aquilini needs one too. The most recent example is Benning getting off an airplane in Utica and within 20 minutes telling everyone that all is well but not dispelling the speculations of dysfunction. Aquilini does not want strong leadership as it undermines his authority, weakens his control and all the viable candidates know that already. The good ones don`t get manipulated so easily.
Brooks recently wrote a column on the Rangers search for a president, what the job entails and why John Davidson is the perfect candidate considering his track record in St. Louis and Columbus.
One interesting example is Cam Neely who started out about as experienced as Trevor Linden but has since done an excellent job. It could be a senior advisor like Harry Sinden is what Trevor needed.
Forever 1915:
We need a Director of Professional Scouting (DoPS) to mirror Judd Brackett rather than another POHO. According to the Canucks’ org chart, we have 17 amateur scouts plus Brackett vs. 4 professional scouts and no director. We’d be better off if we had a good DoPS who can give honest advice so we can avoid more bad trades and UFA signings.
j2daff:
I’m torn between saying we need to take as much time as it takes to find the right POHO, because this team needs to start getting it right even if that’s another year or more and saying we need to do it ASAP before Benning overpays on another contract or makes another hockey trade that hurts the future of this team.
In all seriousness Benning may be able to continue as Canucks GM if he has a little help and a little guidance in the area’s he obviously has issues in. The right assistant GM could help negotiate better contracts (and possibly trades) as he has typically overpaid in both term and $$$. A POHO could also hold him accountable (Jim you could sign that guy for half of that or for half the term) and give him direction; Jim why don’t you get on the phone with TO and TB and see if we cannot benefit in helping them out of their cap problems. Heck even a little more vision would help, there is no way they should not have been trying most of last season to get Edler to waive his no trade clause instead of waiting until the last second. Also if the rumors are true about the owner meddling they need someone to be able to straight up say, “you hired me to run this team so let me do it or let me go.”
All that said maybe a better GM would do the same….?
Holly Wood:
How about Ron Francis. He did a very good job rebuilding the entire Carolina organization. The ECHL Florida Everblades win their division, The AHL Charlotte Checkers win their division and now the Hurricanes are making noise. If I remember correctly he was fired due to differences of opinion with the owner but his performance speaks for itself. Could be the President the organization needs to continue moving forward.
