But that doesn't suggest the person has to be an engineer. And there are aspects to the personalities of most engineers I've known that can make them a poor choice above a certain level in an organization (too much need for task-specific control, too focused on analytics and unable to drive through to completion in a timely manner). So understanding a line of work or its products enough to be a senior manager in such an organization does not necessarily require the know-how to complete technical tasks in the business.
- bodiva88

Unfortunately, I relate to the part of your post that I bolded far more than I would like to.

Unfortunately, I relate to the part of your post that I bolded far more than I would like to.
- johndewar

My dad is an engineer and was high level for many years. But he knew his own limitations and never went above Chief Engineer. Being Vice President of Engineering was beyond his patience level.

Back in 2007, before he got back into the NHL fulll-time and was doing some bird-dog pro scouting, I had the opportunity to sit next to Dave Poulin in the pressbox at a Flyers game.

I asked him if he minded if I picked his brain periodically during the game and he said sure.

Far and away, Poulin's level of hockey intellect -- and the way he articulated it -- blew away anything else I had ever experienced before. He hadn't even seen much of the Flyers that season and pretty well struck at the heart of what the team and its players did and didn't do well. Specifically, some of it had to do with the way the team was trying to exiting the defensive zone and get the puck into the offensive zone.

That has always stuck with me, and it was years before the whole "advanced stats" stuff took off yet it was based off a similar principle that there a cumulative effect to subpar puck management. He didn't tie it to shots or scoring chances, specifically, but it was all about constructing a series of productive shifts to achieve a bigger result.

It amuses me that people who have never sat down and talked hockey with Poulin are painting him as some dinosaur in the way he thinks the game. They take a certain soundbite or quote and try to it a broader conclusion. Poulin actually has a very analytical mind -- if you even spend 30 minutes talking hockey with him, it becomes very clear that he thinks in bigger-picture terms.

I can almost guarantee you that he is not "anti-analytics" so much as that he doesn't believe in using them the way that fans/bloggers do. Actually, I suspect his view has evolved pretty much right in line with how Ron Hextall says he sees it.

Lastly, I will say that for a dinosaur, he did pretty well as the Marlies' GM.
- bmeltzer

It's really all about access. Unfortunately, as fans we have only so much to go by when looking at prospective candidates for managerial positions for the team.

That was the original idea...
- FlyersGrace

I hope you get what will make you happy. Happy wife, happy life!

This is an important thing, in my opinion, that doesn't really get talked about too often. The powerplay lived and died with that first unit, so much so that when the Flyers PP as a whole was inconsistent it was mostly due to the fact that the first unit wasn't getting it done night in and night out.

The second unit never really got a chance to gel. Guys like Read, Couturier and Downie got cycled in and out on a nightly basis. They also didn't seem to have the ease of entry and the superior cycle game the first unit had, which could be due to personnel. I would like to see Voracek moved down, so you have an elite puck handler on each unit. I would also like to see Read and Couturier put on the second unit and left there. Read has one of the best hands and shot on the team and Couturier could provide a big body in front and has underrated hands down low and he's adept at winning puck battles in the corners.

I think having a full training camp/preseason with Berube, we will see a better second unit.
- TobyFlenderson

I do think a full year with Berube is a reason for optimism.
Also if Vinny is healed and can find his niche on the team (if not traded).

The team still needs an elite puck handler on the D end. Having Jake and G as the main guys puts a lot of focus and pressure on them.

I love what Couts brings and like BSchenn, too. But in terms of carrying the mail end to end they both leave something to be desired.

- Tomahawk

that was a great movie my boy Clint never disappoints

I'm ready to move on from Hall (and Rinaldo). I don't want a 4th line that can barely handle six minutes of ES ice time.

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson
Bellemare-Laughton-Umberger

3rd and 4th lines would see fairly similar ice time with this set-up. Vinny is the only below average skater in the group.
- Feanor

Sign me up for that.

But that doesn't suggest the person has to be an engineer. And there are aspects to the personalities of most engineers I've known that can make them a poor choice above a certain level in an organization (too much need for task-specific control, too focused on analytics and unable to drive through to completion in a timely manner). So understanding a line of work or its products enough to be a senior manager in such an organization does not necessarily require the know-how to complete technical tasks in the business.
- bodiva88

I agree, as I know I'd never want to be upper management. I was speaking of having a general understanding, knowing what kind of uses your products have and a general-knowledge technical understanding.

For instance, my company make analyzers that measure different concentrations of different gases in pipes at plants, more or less. Instead of just looking at site-specific revenue and cost amongst our sites and budgeting as such, having an understanding of WHY you have those numbers based on industry and current technology and driving projects based on the current market.

My dad is an engineer and was high level for many years. But he knew his own limitations and never went above Chief Engineer. Being Vice President of Engineering was beyond his patience level.
- bodiva88

I never want to be more than a project leader. As it is, I have one person working for me and it's driving me nuts.

that was a great movie my boy Clint never disappoints
- 2Real

amy adams

Detroit re-signed Thomas Tatar, 3 years, no financial terms released

that was a great movie my boy Clint never disappoints
- 2Real

Does Poulin have a daughter who can scout an undiscovered Eric Lindros by hearing the sound the puck makes as it hits the goalie glove?

Does Poulin have a daughter who can scout an undiscovered Eric Lindros by hearing the sound the puck makes as it hits the goalie glove?
- Tomahawk

Close, she can find the next Tom Gorence blind folded by the sound of the wrist shot hitting the post...Or the next Shjon Podein by the sound of the puck hitting the goalie in the logo

My dad is an engineer and was high level for many years. But he knew his own limitations and never went above Chief Engineer. Being Vice President of Engineering was beyond his patience level.
- bodiva88

I work for someone who is probably the smartest technologist I ever worked for, but he's also probably the worst manager I've ever worked for.

Detroit re-signed Thomas Tatar, 3 years, no financial terms released
- Jsaquella

one billion dollars

I do think a full year with Berube is a reason for optimism.
Also if Vinny is healed and can find his niche on the team (if not traded).

The team still needs an elite puck handler on the D end. Having Jake and G as the main guys puts a lot of focus and pressure on them.

I love what Couts brings and like BSchenn, too. But in terms of carrying the mail end to end they both leave something to be desired.
- Marc D

I agree completely. If Vinny stays his shot from the right side (especially the one-timer) on the powerplay will be a good thing.

As much as I like Streit and Timonen, both seem to elect to dump the puck in and have their guys try to win possession instead of carrying it in straight, which is what Giroux and Voracek seem to do more often than not. They do need that other guy that can carry it from end to end. It lightens the load for G and Jake and gives other teams something more to think about. Hoping Ghost becomes that defenseman.

one billion dollars
- Marc D

Per?

leaves sign winnik to 1 yr deal

leaves sign winnik to 1 yr deal
- wilsonecho91

(frank). (frank)ity, (frank), (frank), (frank)

Sign me up for that.
- Jsaquella

I'm ready to move on from Hall (and Rinaldo). I don't want a 4th line that can barely handle six minutes of ES ice time.

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson
Bellemare-Laughton-Umberger

3rd and 4th lines would see fairly similar ice time with this set-up. Vinny is the only below average skater in the group.
- Feanor


I actually like this.

leaves sign winnik to 1 yr deal
- wilsonecho91

hexstaal dripping with egg, 28year old geek tapdancing on his skull

hexstaal dripping with egg, 28year old geek tapdancing on his skull
- Crimsoninja

hexstaal dripping with egg, 28year old geek tapdancing on his skull
- Crimsoninja

The Leafs have added three guys who could be really good-and cheap-bottom six guys for them. They snatched up Mike Santorelli, then Booth(which is the one where people can have some questions) and now Winnik.

I agree completely. If Vinny stays his shot from the right side (especially the one-timer) on the powerplay will be a good thing.

As much as I like Streit and Timonen, both seem to elect to dump the puck in and have their guys try to win possession instead of carrying it in straight, which is what Giroux and Voracek seem to do more often than not. They do need that other guy that can carry it from end to end. It lightens the load for G and Jake and gives other teams something more to think about. Hoping Ghost becomes that defenseman.
- TobyFlenderson

A d-man that can skate with the puck on their stick for more than 5 feet?

hexstaal dripping with egg, 28year old geek tapdancing on his skull
- Crimsoninja