Crowned wrote:It was either all or nothing in regards to the position IMO. They wanted Scotty Bowman or John Muckler, Bowman wasn't interested in the job, and I really don't think they liked what Muckler had to say in his interview. It was reported that Muckler believed JFJ deserved an extension, and didn't want him gone, same with Maurice. On the other hand, Bowman wanted them both gone, and MLSE wanted to atleast play out the beginning of the season before making a decision on JFJ. I've heard reports here and there, and I honestly think that's what transpired.
Personally, I'd be satisfied with keeping JFJ, and allowing Muckler to play a mentor type of role along side him as that advisor. JFJ is beginning to improve with his decision making, and a little more experience and perhaps additional help would go along way with him. It was believed that JFJ would one day make an excellent GM, he was highly regarded by many while he was with the Blues. The Leafs took the cheap route, and hired an inexperienced GM to take over likely the toughest franchise in the league. He's growing as a GM, just like players do with additional experience. If Muckler, or any senior hockey mind played a mentor role with him, I wouldn't think twice about giving JFJ an extension.
I agree, I think that JFJ has done a pretty creditable job recently and should stay as GM, as a few here know, I wasn't always in his corner but I like the moves he has made this off season and I think we are a much improved team and may surprise a few people, as long as we can stay healthy...
I'm not as sold on Scotty Bowman as a lot here are. He was an outstanding coach and there is no getting around that but I remember when he was GM in Buffalo, he wasn't exactly a world beater there and his teams were just average as I remember. His tenure there was unremarkable, so not to say he couldn't do the job here but he has yet to prove that he could...
Muckler built Ottawa into the division power they are now, he had a few bad moves like signing Gerber and losing Chara but he over all did a pretty good job and had to deal with a meddling Melnyk, so if he were hired and became consultant/mentor to JFJ, it wouldn't be a bad move and as I understand it, it's only a 1 or 2 year contract. Maybe he can recommend some changes that can help, without blowing up the entire team...
