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Unlike Keenan, Rick Dudley Deserves Another Chance As GM |
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Panther fans will always find negatives in anything, because they don't know much differently...this decade. The endorsement of Dudley will surely bring out the same response since most will say we don't need another retread GM. That is not the case, and he is a perfect fit.
While Dudley was GM of the Panthers from 2002-2004, he had two factors working against him. As always, ownership, and, as always, Mike Keenan. This insurmountable combination was the beginning and the end of Dudley's short tenure. Let's not forget that Dudley constructed what was soon to become the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning two years prior.
Alan Cohen & Co. made arguably the worst mistake in franchise history in firing Dudley and promoting Keenan to GM in 2004. Dudley then left to help with the rebuilding process of the now young and exciting Chicago Blackhawks that made it to the Western Finals.
It's important to keep in mind that while Dudley is a major player in what has happened in Chicago, he is the Assistant General Manager to GM Dale Tallon, who is widely given all the praise for Chicago's turnaround. Yet young budding talent seems to follow Dudley everywhere, and it's no coincidence.
Skeptics will bring up a few valid questions about Dudley's history. Because while acquiring the likes of a young (and old) Khabibulin, St. Louis, Modin, Andreychuk, Hjalmarsson, Toews, and Kane, there are going to be some misses.
If you look over NHL draft history within the last five years, even ten, it really is amazing how many "busts" there are. You look at the list of names just in the first round and realize that practically two-thirds of picks, maybe more in some years, don't amount to anything. Starting in round 2, it's really a crap shoot. Admittedly as a die hard Panther fan from day 1, I look back at the list of draft picks, and I ask myself over and over, "Who the hell is that?" ALL GMs miss. A lot. Dudley is no exception, and I'm sure he and any other GM would admit their mistakes and why they thought they were sound choices at the time.
Before Dudley's arrival in 2002, the real problem occurred in the 99-01 drafts. Bill Torrey was a tremendous GM and means everything to this organization for his dedication and loyalty. However, this three year span sent this organization into official rebuilding phase. Of those three drafts, the only players of note are Alex Auld, Niklas Hagman, Janis Sprukts, Stephen Weiss, Lucas Krajicek, and Ivan Majesky. While all played for the Panthers at some time in their career, only Weiss can be considered a good pick. It took eight years to see it. And most Panther fans would say for fourth overall, he's a disappointment. I do not share that view, however. The others played or are playing their best for other organizations, or were just good enough to make it, but not good. (Chuck Fletcher spent a brief time during the 01-02 season as interim GM, but was soon replaced by Dudley after the season.)
Reviewing Dudley's decisions in his brief Panther stint, his first pick was Jay Bouwmeester. Whether you agree or disagree, his value is through the roof for many teams in the league, and this proved to be a great pick. He also found what was/is to be a great role player in Gregory Campbell in the third round of 2002.
2003 sticks in the gut of many Panther fans and the blame goes to Dudley for them, albeit unfair. Dudley traded the first overall pick to Pittsburgh for their third, which resulted in Nathan Horton. In between Marc Andre-Fleury and Horton was Eric Staal, who to this day is the one that got away to most Panther fans. Staal has 358 regular season points, including 164 goals. Horton has 238 regular season points, including 122 goals. One would say, "Whoa, what a mistake!" But keep in mind Horton has played in 52 less games. This doesn't make the selection of Horton a good decision, but it is still noteworthy and relevant. I will painfully keep the playoff point comparisons to myself, as there aren't any.
One of the bigger busts was later in that first round with the selection of Anthony Stewart. But in Dudley's defense, he has/had all the intangibles of a bruising, scoring forward (similar to what he saw in Dustin Byfuglien). But it never happened, as it hasn't for the vast majority of all draft picks ever. Kamil Kreps joined Campbell as another solid two-way player found in the second round of this draft.
Based on most GM's history, and the fact that he was teamed with a horrific Cohen/Keenan combination, it can be said that the firing if Dudley was yet another mistake compounded by the promotion of Keenan. Surely the direction of the franchise would have been more positive based on his bookend successes in Tampa and Chicago.
Dudley still resides in Florida, is a career hockey man with much more to give to the community he loves. He knows the market and what is needed to get the fans back on board. He deserves the shot at righting his predecessors wrongs, and boy are there lots of them. And unlike those in the Panther organization post-lockout, Dudley has adapted well regarding his talent evaluations to a new, faster game.
Yes, there are other options out there, and the hopeful-new-management-on-the-way is surely doing their due diligence, but Dudley remains a standout choice. If the decision is made to bring Dudley home, Panther fans should breathe easy. They are in good hands.
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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