Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 3385
Location: Sweetest lid in the league
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 Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject: Jim Kelley: No town like Motown |
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Kelley looks at the difference in organizational philosophies and the resulting success on the ice of the Sabres, Leafs and Red Wings.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/01/17/redwings_success_kelley/
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The Red Wings win, plain and simple. They don't win Stanley Cup every year since he took over the failing franchise in 1982, but since they were rebuilt to respectability they certainly are perennial contenders. That's because Illitch put his faith and his cash in Ken Holland, arguably the best general manager in hockey. It's also because Illitch allows Holland to spend money on off-ice personal (assistant GM Jim Nill is said to be paid a GM's salary and has duties that keep him both challenged and in the fold though he could easily have a GM's job elsewhere). Holland also gets to spend on scouting and development and he's been allowed to bid for the best in both coaches (Scott Bowman and now Mike Babcock) and players. He's also been allowed enough of a budget to groom his eventual successor, Steve Yzerman, an investment in both Yzerman and his future as well as an investment in the concept of team as family with the long-serving captain being a focal point for the rest of the players who see the franchise like a family taking care of it own.
Can anyone say that about Buffalo or Toronto? What about other franchises like Florida, Phoenix, Los Angeles and other clubs who have almost as much turnover in the ownership ranks as they do in the player ranks?
Ask yourself how many teams would have kept Scotty Bowman in "the family" after he retired as coach of the Red Wings after winning his last of three Cups there in 2002. Also on staff is Mark Howe, son of Gordie Howe and a legendary defenceman in his own right, looking after scouting. And then there is Bob McCammon, a legendary hockey coach and administrator who remains on call for Holland or Babcock to use as they see fit.
It's been said that Detroit has more pro scouts than Central Scouting has for its amateur operations and an amateur scouting base that is larger than any two combined teams in the league.
There are also reports that the Red Wings, at least before the salary cap came into play, would readily spend more than they took in if they felt they were anywhere near close to having a successful season. A good deal of that money is spent keeping scouts and administrators happily working for the Red Wings rather than having them accept offers from other teams. Match that commitment to the Leafs, who've had a revolving door in regards to everyone from scouts to medical staff to coaches and behind the scenes folks. Or to the Sabres, who last season threw their entire scouting department over the side in what they say was a commitment to video scouting. In reality, and consistent with what their critics maintain, the move was a brutal budget slash to increase profitability at the expense of long-time employees.
Clearly ownership matters. You can see it in what George Gillett is attempting to do in Montreal and what's finally happening in Chicago now that the more enlightened heirs of Bill Wirtz are running the franchise. |
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