Oilers to hire Stan Bowman as GM

[Erick Estrada]

I wonder if RSN is having an emergency meeting on how to manufacture positive spin on this and lay out some sort of groundwork for HNIC for how they are to talk about Bowman during intermissions and what topics not to bring up or address. Also maybe pick Ron MacLean's brain for some old story of how he was having dinner with Scotty back in the day, describing how a young Stan graciously held the restaurant door open for an old woman.

[CrazyCaper]

If you change the scenario from the NHL and a GM role to a High School and a principal's role, I'm quite certain that individual would never be allowed to be a principal in a school system ever again. Why are their different standards when it comes to professional sports??

[Looch City]

The NHL Old Boys club is regrouping in Edmonton it seems. Perfect place!

[sss1]

It had already been joked about that this exact signing would be atypical for the Oilers.

It's strange to see a pro-sports organization have such a fetish for hiring individuals who have a history of sexual abuse allegations.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Remember when "Oilers gonna Oil" meant they'd lose embarrassing games, be out of the playoff race before the All Star break, constantly sell hope and then fall flat repeatedly, and generally just operate like a laughing stock of a franchise?

... yeah, now it means something worse.

[drewtastic]

The Hockey Guy is…near speechless…

https://youtu.be/guC5lEcJiM4?si=5bm7LACEMN22Fxip

[SuperMatt18]

Oilers media carrying water for this move is the most predictable thing I've ever seen.

They clearly were briefed on this prior to it coming out, and had a bunch of talking points and articles ready around the Sheldon Kennedy stuff and the work Bowman had done.

[Gaskal]

Man. It's really something when the fans are actually in an uproar over this, while the media still chooses to stuff their fingers into their ears and hum loudly.

[N-E-B]

This is truly embarrassing. What a bunch of clowns. How anyone can continue to support that franchise is beyond me.

[Burning Beard]

I hope the Media hounds McDavid at his wedding in a few days about this and he bolts. They won't because they are spineless, unfortunately.

Also, how long until Carter Hart signs there?

[agulati]

Seeing many Oilers fans talk about this and losing their support. Hopefully it is enough traction, to get the NHL to step up and rescind this.

It is shocking that this has been allowed and frankly it is disgusting

[Toonage]

I wonder (hope) if this picks up enough negative steam that it becomes another Babcock / Columbus type situation. He's released before the job really even starts.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by agulati

Seeing many Oilers fans talk about this and losing their support. Hopefully it is enough traction, to get the NHL to step up and rescind this.

It is shocking that this has been allowed and frankly it is disgusting

Wouldn't be surprised if Bettman and the NHL are annoyed too.

For legal reasons it's tough to say a person is banned forever, or that they aren't reinstated. It would eventually get challenged legally and cost a ton of money and time...so you have to eventually reinstate them if they go through the steps.

But I would guarantee they were hoping that no team would move so quick to hire one of these guys.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I wonder (hope) if this picks up enough negative steam that it becomes another Babcock / Columbus type situation. He's released before the job really even starts.

Hard to say because Katz controls the media in Edmonton so they can keep pushing their narrative of how he's been forgiven, rehabilitated, and deserves a 2nd chance and it's Edmonton after all. The NHL season is the highlight of the year for most residents that have accepted the suckage of living there so once October gets near their memories may get short.

[trackercowe]

I honestly feel bad for Stang and the fans that are (rightfully) bothered by this. They shouldn't have to be put through these type of ordeals again and again. It's a deplorable move, no one should be forced to resign their fandom to a team. It's a depressing situation, especially after they came oh so close to winning the Cup.

Bravo to Stang (and others) for maintaining his word. It can't be easy, especially after being a lifelong fan.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

I hope the Media hounds McDavid at his wedding in a few days about this and he bolts. They won't because they are spineless, unfortunately.

Also, how long until Carter Hart signs there?

There is no way this happens without McDavid’s blessing.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I wonder (hope) if this picks up enough negative steam that it becomes another Babcock / Columbus type situation. He's released before the job really even starts.

Except the Oilers would be completely forgiven by the media and end up with somebody better. Then SN would make a documentary about how Oilers upper management and McDiver overcame evil and forced Bowman out heroically.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

I hope the Media hounds McDavid at his wedding in a few days about this and he bolts. They won't because they are spineless, unfortunately.

Also, how long until Carter Hart signs there?

There is going to be enough time to hound McDavid over this, they don't need to do it at the guys wedding. I doubt there is going to be media at his wedding and if there are maybe it would just be common decency and not them being spineless.

Also maybe the Oilers were thinking that Scotty Bowman may be flying into Edmonton to give some pointers from time to time.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Redrum

Except the Oilers would be completely forgiven by the media and end up with somebody better. Then SN would make a documentary about how Oilers upper management and McDiver overcame evil and forced Bowman out heroically.

The media didn’t force Babcock out, Babcock did it to himself with that stupid phone ####.

Stan Bowman is the GM of the Oilers, and that’s not our problem.

[Infinit47]

I assume the new GM will bring in his own people, probably start with the video coach.