Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
That's part of it. Also, most of the guys hired to these positions have been popular former players. So the President role is also a figure-head. Someone who can give some popular prestige to the management group, glad-hand the corporate crowd in the boxed seats, and leave the GM to deal with the nitty-gritty of the job.
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Mmm, not sure I agree with this.
I think this management structure is only successful or has a chance of being successful when the President of hockey ops (the guy in Burke/Davidson's chair) has the respect of most of the people affiliated with the league. He's an emotional bottleneck between owners/marketing and the GM/Coach/Players.
That just doesn't work with someone without a track record.
This is obviously simplistic, but Burke was brought in by the Flames because it probably became clear to them that they didn't know what they were doing. Burke assuages their fears as a competent and respected hockey person with experience and connections around the league. "Well, Burke is convinced this is the way to go. I trust him."
Edit: I think Jim Devellano provided the same service in Detroit, which might be where this all started. "Oh, you built the Islanders? Well, I guess we can see how this pans out..."
Trevor Linden does not provide this same buffer.