Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockeyboy2
Not sure how long Buttons contract runs, but I think Brian Burke hinted pretty strongly that he was not a fan on the scouting staff and how the whole scouting staff department is being run.
Absolutely he should be let go after the draft, and I would suspect that he will be let go after the draft.
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I don't quite agree.
Calgary's drafting was nothing short of putrid for a long time. I so wanted Button to be axed, it wasn't even funny.
I am not sure if he was incompetent at the time, or perhaps did not fight for his 'guys' at the draft table enough, and got over-ruled. I would say that the last few years' worth of work has been improving drastically.
I hope they add to the scouting department, maybe replace a couple of scouts that are not quite getting enough 'hits' from their respective areas that they are responsible for drafting (while other teams are in those said geographical areas), but Button to me strikes me as a very shrewd evaluator of talent now. I think he is really good now actually - which is funny since I can't emphasize enough how much I wanted him turfed years ago.
I hope they bring in a guy like Ryan Jankowski (yes, yes.. wouldn't that be kind of funny in a way) who did really great work for the NYI. You would have to assume scouting was also affected by Wang's cost-cutting, which makes his work even more impressive. Drafting was one of their bright spots there - cost-cutting and mismanagement was the issue why the Islanders I think have been a bubble team at best in the last 10 years. Not sure if there is any way to pry him from Hockey Canada, but I would like to.
I hope Button survives whatever moves are made. Will be interesting to see if he does, and only time will tell. I really think the new GM will be the one that ends up deciding his fate.