I find it interesting to read the criticisms of each GM in turn...it seems that many think that being a GM is a science. It has rules and obvious blind alleys, clear choices and simplistic decision-making.
The best GMs are those that seem to have the art of it down well - and even they make mistakes. The best learn from those mistakes and progress. The worst end up being fired and likely never end back up in the NHL.
And, even the best can be tripped up by circumstance, bad timing or just plain poor luck in a choice -- even one that everyone could agree on (not likely!) as a great choice. And the guy just....doesn't perform ..... in the new environment. It happens.
The one thing BB brings to the table - whether you like him or not - is instant credibility. He kept a pretty low profile publicly (I guess now we know why) and even in the Flames office. Apparently he wasn't shy about canvassing other GMs though, so clearly "some" had an idea as to what he was or might have been doing. Now that he's made his move the Flames have regained some of their lost stature. That doesn't matter in some ways - but it does to the GMs making deals and to agents working with sought-after players. Hopefully that lesson isn't lost on management and ownership.
My only real curiosity is the double-initials thing....KK, BB, CC.
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