THN.com Blog: Ranking GMs on the deadline
Jim Rutherford improved his team enough around the trade deadline to make the Canes a dangerous playoff opponent. (Photo by Getty Images)
Edward Fraser
2008-03-27 11:43:28
In the April 1 edition of The Hockey News magazine, senior writer Ken Campbell – after speaking with several knowledgeable hockey insiders to solicit their opinion – takes a no-foolin’-around approach at ranking the NHL’s GMs 1-30, based on their career body of work, with a sharp focus on this season.
Now that the dust has had more than a month to settle, here’s my top three and bottom three GMs based solely on their performance on and around this year’s trade deadline:
1. Jim Rutherford, Carolina. Not only did he dump two impending UFAs, he ended up making his team better. Give him the nod in the Tuomo Ruutu-Andrew Ladd deal, too. Even with Rod Brind’Amour injured, the Canes could make some post-season noise.
2. Brett Hull/Les Jackson, Dallas. He may have tapered off after his first game, but Brad Richards will help this team win now and in the future. And ‘Lesett Hulson,’ as I like to call them, didn’t have to give up anyone who can’t be easily replaced.
3. Doug Wilson, San Jose. Steve Bernier and a first-rounder was a high price to pay for a guy who could walk for nothing this summer, but the addition of Brian Campbell has turned the Sharks into the team to beat.
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28. Jacques Martin, Florida. He best pray his team’s late-season run gets him into the playoffs, because he’s all but done in the Sunshine State otherwise. Martin got the short end on the Ruslan Salei-Karlis Skrastins deal and paid a third-rounder for a guy (Chad Kilger) who may never play a game with the Panthers. When your best deal was picking up Wade Belak, you’re in trouble.
29. Bryan Murray, Ottawa. There was nothing wrong with the Carolina deal, but not finding a new home for Ray Emery, even if it was Binghamton, was a huge mistake. Martin Gerber is the kind of goalie who needs to know he’s the No. 1 to succeed and Emery’s presence just adds one more distraction in a dressing room that’s already been full of them this season.
30. Dave Nonis, Vancouver. His team desperately needed an offensive spark, and Matt Pettinger wasn’t even close. Even with the world’s best goalie between the pipes, the Canucks are first-round fodder…if they make it in, that is.
WHAT THE DEUCE?
This press release arrived in my mailbox Tuesday:
“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Stewie from ‘Family Guy’ to Appear at Crunch Game March 28
Syracuse, NY (March 25, 2008) – The Syracuse Crunch announced today that Stewie from FOX’s hit animated show ‘Family Guy’ will be at their Friday, March 28 game against Albany.
The popular character Stewie will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures with fans and cheer on the Crunch. In addition, ‘Family Guy’ prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
Stewie is the youngest and smartest child of Peter and Lois Griffin. Stewie is one year old and has a sophisticated attitude. Considered by many to be the show’s breakout character, Stewie is voiced by Seth MacFarlane.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Stewie a cartoon?
Unless the third dimension suddenly disappears once inside the War Memorial at Oncenter arena in Syracuse, I don’t think he’s actually appearing.
Nevertheless, kudos to the Crunch for an original, ingenious marketing scheme.
Edward Fraser is the editor of thehockeynews.com. His blog appears Thursdays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
JPQ (Posted 2008-03-30 12:02:18)
Darcy Regeir is a willing "yes man", he doesn't even deserve to be ranked. For the record, Golisano has spent money. The problem is; because the League rules are dynamic and because his "yes man" GM does what he is told to do by Larry Quinn, the money has been squandered on marginal talent while proven talent has left town.
Rob Lewis (Posted 2008-03-28 12:15:10)
Obviously a bit of a hometowner....but George McPhee got Federov, Cooke and Huet and they are all playing a huge role for a good Caps team. By far the best deadline deals, they're giving the caps a real shot at the playoffs whereas the Panthers are all but out. Plus, the Caps didn't give up anything for those guys.
Derek from Cloud9 Sports (Posted 2008-03-28 12:04:56)
Nailed the bottom 3, but the Hull/Jackson and Rutherford aren't in the top 3.
1. Ray Shero (PIT)
2. Doug Murrary (SJ)
3. George McPhee (WASH)
4. Rutherford
5. Hull/Jackson
Cheers, Derek
Ed (Posted 2008-03-28 11:31:29)
Craig - hilarious
Michael David (Posted 2008-03-28 00:19:58)
Lou Lamorielo needed to get the Devils some offense. Our five game losing streak may cause the Devils to miss the playoffs.Our team cannot score. Our season long winless streak against the Rangers is embarrasing. The "You can't beat us" chant at the Garden was too much. Lou, What were you thinking?
Mike K. (Posted 2008-03-27 20:29:17)
Craig:I think Shawn and Canucksintough think you're not being serious.We need more of that kind of commentary.(How do jam your tongue in your cheek that far)
canucksintough (Posted 2008-03-27 18:31:45)
craig, dont hope for much, morrison's gone for the rest of the season, Our defense is still injured as it has been missing important pieces all season. It seems AV (coach) has lost the room. Next year is the time to be excited for, no more nazzy and morrison. Hopefully we can get some good UFA's and keep building from there. As long a luongo doesn't leave due to his wife permanently and pull a Pronger were good
Glenn (Posted 2008-03-27 17:53:22)
Dude. Shawn. Seriously?
leafsfan1 (Posted 2008-03-27 17:46:01)
You mean I have to buy the issue to see where Cliff Fletcher rates?
Louis (Posted 2008-03-27 14:37:34)
Sarcastic Comment of the Year goes to Craig. Uncontested.
Jeremy (Posted 2008-03-27 14:24:01)
Craig - that was the best comment I've ever read on here...I laughed till I cried, then laughed some more! The sarcasm dripping from the comment was just plain golden! Keep up the good work, or maybe get a job at the Hockey News!!
Shawn (Posted 2008-03-27 14:19:40)
"Scoring is grossly overrated" huh??? Yeah that spells playoff success, not scoring. Yeah you got lucky and got by Dallas last season with Loungo, but that's because Dallas couldn't score either. Anaheim in the second round simply over powered the Canucks because they could roll 4 lines. No way Vancouver matches up well with any of the west power houses. You can talk about the old timers like Chelios and Hasek, but the Wings have power house forwards with Zetterberg, Datsyuk and an awesome powerplay with Lidstrom quater backing it on the point. The Canucks shouldn't even be thinking about the post season yet because they better win out there remaining games because Nashville and Edmonton could still catch them.
Craig (Posted 2008-03-27 13:48:47)
The Canucks will be just fine, thank you. Scoring is grossly overrated, and winning every playoff game 1 - 0 in the 18th overtime period will just help to build momentum for this plodding bunch. Do you really think the senior citizens on the Red Wings or Avs can stay awake until 4 in the morning? That's well past the bed times of Sakic, Foote, Chelios and Hasek. What About the Ducks, can Chris "Nut Job" Pronger, really hold his cool for that many periods, no, he'll try and litterally eat someone, at that point he won't be thinking straight, and the impending gore will be far to distracting for his team. Then you have Dallas. Marty Turco is like the third act of Penn and Teller in the playoffs. He disappears, no way he stays focussed for that many periods. San Jose? Boston was pretty sure Thornton doesn't like big games, do you really presume to know something that their now fired GM didn't? Calgary will suffer through a Mike Keenan temper tantrum as the game drags on, and Minnesota will be stymied when Lemaire panics at shot totals rising into the 30s by period number 15, and benches Gaborik and Demitra. Meanwhile the Canucks will play un-incumberred by expectations, and since the entire gammut of forwards are so well rested, having ridden Luongo all season long, they'll be all set to strike as minute 354 rolls around. BEST RESTED TEAM IN THE LEAGUE! why trade for tired players that have been "producing" all year?
Tony (Posted 2008-03-27 12:53:23)
Carolina: great organization, great young exciting team (Superstar Eric Staal and Erik Cole, physical team and a well balanced group of scorers from line 1 to line 4) and the fan base is loud and electric (best atmosphere for an NHL (and I have been to more than half of the teams in the NHl arenas, no comparison to the RBC Center fans)
This team has over 400 lost man games, what a job by management, great foundation or stars and their AHL organization.
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