[sureLoss]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/burnsid...oxic-behavior/

Calgary GM Brad Treliving is one of the game’s most up-front and open executives. He made it clear that there was a lot of discussion within the organization and beyond about bringing Murray aboard.

First, Treliving had long discussions with Murray about his personal health and his battle with alcohol.

Treliving said that Murray recognized the root of what happened in Anaheim was Murray’s drinking.

“And he came to the realization he couldn’t do that anymore,” Treliving said Wednesday.

Following those discussions, when it looked like there might be a way to help Murray back into the game, Treliving reached out to the NHL and got permission from the league to offer Murray a job.

On a purely practical side, Treliving has known Murray, 67, for years and trusts his judgment when it comes to evaluating players.

“In my opinion, one of his greatest strengths, I think he’s one of the best evaluators of talent in recent times quite frankly,” Treliving said. “He’s one of those guys, his joy, and his strength is in scouting and player identification and player evaluation.”

On the human side, Treliving saw someone who had been very good to him as a young NHL executive, who had made mistakes and had paid a significant price for those mistakes, and was now trying to address those problems in his personal life.

Was there a way for Treliving and the Flames to assist in rebuilding a career and a life?

“We all have challenges. We all make mistakes at some point,” Treliving said. “It’s easy to pick up a rock.”

It’s harder, sometimes, to extend a hand, the GM said. And that’s what Treliving said the Flames have done.

“This was a guy that I wanted to help,” Treliving said. “Bob’s a good person that made some mistakes.”

As much as Treliving believes that Murray and his experience can help the Flames, “I think we can help him as well.”

Cynics, of course, will suggest that this is another illustration of hockey’s old boys’ network at work and that there will always be a place at the table as long as you are part of that club – no matter what you’ve done.

But Treliving believes strongly in the league’s efforts to provide a safe and welcoming work place around the NHL including the hotline. And he doesn’t believe hiring Murray is in any way contradictory.

“I’m proud of the working environment we have here,” he said. “We know what is not going to be tolerated here and Bob is very comfortable with that.”