The Edmonton Oilers made the controversial resolution to rent Stan Bowman as their new normal supervisor (GM) and government vice chairman of hockey operations on Wednesday, July 24, and fan response has not been optimistic in any respect. After the surprising transfer, Oilers followers throughout social media started pushing again, citing each Bowman’s previous strikes as a GM being questionable, on high of how he mishandled a severe scenario with the Chicago Blackhawks over a decade in the past. Whereas Jeff Jackson spoke to the media and was adamant that he believed Bowman has turn out to be a greater individual and warranted followers that they’d the group’s greatest curiosity in thoughts, there have been higher choices out there to the Oilers that they selected to not rent, making this hiring much more mind-boggling.
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Now earlier than we start, I perceive Bowman has turn out to be a greater individual and has the blessing of everybody concerned to renew working within the NHL once more, and I respect the very fact he took the time to higher himself as a human being and might perceive the severity of what he did that led to his expulsion from the league, and I hope he continues to show that with the Oilers. With that being stated, this text strictly appears on the hockey aspect of why Bowman wasn’t the only option, and why these folks might have completed a greater job.
Bowman made some odd choices throughout his time with the Blackhawks, together with transferring Artemi Panarin for near nothing, buying and selling two first-round picks and a high prospect for a identified legal responsibility on the blue line in Seth Jones, and questionable long-term extensions that led to some cash points down the road. On this article, let’s have a look at 9 candidates who would have been higher hires than Bowman.
Mark Hunter
Looking exterior the group, the primary one who might have made extra sense is Mark Hunter. Hunter, who’s 61 years outdated, presently serves because the GM of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and has a confirmed document as somebody who has helped construct one of the vital constant contenders in your complete Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
Hunter additionally has some expertise on the NHL stage serving because the assistant GM for the Maple Leafs from 2014 to 2018. He additionally served because the GM for Workforce Canada on the World Juniors, serving to make them a gold medal in 2020. He has a confirmed successful document and deserves a shot at a GM place within the NHL, so it’s stunning he wasn’t the one the Oilers determined to herald.
Shawn Horcoff
One other potential candidate who might have been a greater match is former Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff, who has been within the Detroit Crimson Wings entrance workplace because the 2016-17 season. He was their director of participant growth till the 2021-22 season when he was promoted to assistant GM and was additionally named GM of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). For the reason that 2021-22 season, Horcoff has remained in the identical place and is usually praised by Crimson Wings followers for his skill to assist develop youthful gamers. The connection to the Oilers is smart too, since he performed elements of 11 seasons with them, together with his ultimate three because the captain.
Jason Botterill
Jason Botterill has an extended resume as a employees member across the NHL. He began within the 2006-07 season with the Dallas Stars as a scout earlier than transferring to the Pittsburgh Penguins as their director of hockey operations for 2 seasons. Within the 2009-10 season, Botterill was promoted to assistant GM of the Penguins and served because the GM of their minor-league affiliate till the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. Botterill accepted his first GM job with the Buffalo Sabres the place he spent three seasons earlier than leaving. For the reason that 2020-21 season, he has served because the assistant GM of the Seattle Kraken.
Jarmo Kekäläinen
Jarmo Kekäläinen has an extended and spectacular resume. Most spectacular although, is his lengthy stint because the GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets from the 2012-13 season till the 2023-24 season when he was let go. He presently serves as a senior advisor for HIFK within the Liiga in Finland. Whereas the Blue Jackets weren’t in a position to win a championship throughout his time there, he made some spectacular trades and received probably the most worth out of gamers he moved, all whereas additionally signing coveted free agent Johnny Gaudreau and bringing an enormous identify to Columbus.
Kirt Hill
A bit out of left subject with this one right here, however Kirt Hill deserves a shot within the NHL. He has served because the GM and president of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) because the 2018-19 season and continues to assist lead them via a rebuild. Whereas younger at simply 36 years outdated, Hill has a confirmed observe document as somebody who can benefit from his property and make the suitable strikes to win a championship.
Chuck Fletcher
Chuck Flecther is one other candidate who has a powerful resume on the NHL stage. He served because the GM of the Minnesota Wild from the 2009-10 season till the 2012-13 season, earlier than being promoted to government VP of hockey operations whereas sustaining the GM place. He joined the Philadelphia Flyers within the 2018-19 season as their new GM and president of hockey operations, till being let go within the 2022-23 season. Fletcher’s proper on par with Bowman with regards to how sturdy they’re on the commerce market, however I give Fletcher a slight edge.
Jeff Jackson
This one is straightforward and is one each Oilers fan needed after the offseason Jeff Jackson had, however sadly, he wasn’t fascinated with being the GM full-time. From bringing in Matt Savoie to signing Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to letting Vincent Desharnais stroll and never overpaying him, virtually each resolution Jackson made because the interim GM was good, and has set the Oilers up for achievement heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Ryan Martin
The ultimate identify I’ll contact on is Ryan Martin, who serves because the assistant GM of the New York Rangers and the GM of the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. He appears to be in line for a GM place when one other one opens up across the NHL, as his in depth work with the Rangers and their success might assist land him a job quickly. It’s protected to imagine the Oilers thought of hiring him contemplating the connection to move coach Kris Knoblauch.
Bowman could also be a Stanley Cup champion who has three championships underneath his belt, which is engaging for Oilers followers who need the group to attempt to make a push for his or her first Stanley Cup since 1990, however he has some points with the way in which he works. His trades prior to now are worrisome, particularly, the notorious Jones sign-and-trade with the Blue Jackets, and he has been blamed for being the only motive why the Blackhawks are rebuilding. On the finish of the day, Oilers followers are going to voice their opinions, however hopefully, Bowman can show the doubters mistaken and might help deliver a championship again to Edmonton. However, I consider these eight folks might have been higher suits.
