Glen Miller: The History of Howson, Part II: Free Agency

Some guys are just better in the rink scouting talent than they are in the General Manager role, which obviously requires a much larger skill set. I think Howson is probably one of those guys, in that he seems to be very well-respected in the scouting and player identification roles that he played before becoming a GM. But, when you are GM of a team like Columbus who is new to the league, and hasn't had a long history of success, you need to really draft well, because you're going to overpay to attact talent in the free agency market.

Glen Miller: The History of Howson, Part II: Free Agency
- Glen Miller

Paulhsson too should be in the bad, looking back I would of kept Malhotra because he was one of the leagues best faceoff ace's .

So, it looks like if Colorado didn't match the O'Reilly offer sheet, you guys would have been in the position to pick him up off waivers for the price of the Flames' 1st and 3rd round picks. That would have been awesome.

So, it looks like if Colorado didn't match the O'Reilly offer sheet, you guys would have been in the position to pick him up off waivers for the price of the Flames' 1st and 3rd round picks. That would have been awesome.
- Pete V

That whole thing sounds strange to me. I guess Calgary really blundered if that is the case but didn't Bill Daly say that would not have happened? I did see where O'Reilly was not put on the reserve list. I also saw that with the Rangers if they did bring MZA back they would be able to since he is on their reserve list so the whole thing sounds like one big cluster-you-know-what.

So, it looks like if Colorado didn't match the O'Reilly offer sheet, you guys would have been in the position to pick him up off waivers for the price of the Flames' 1st and 3rd round picks. That would have been awesome.
- Pete V

Well, just read the article on TSN and it does look like Feaster made a mistake but will not have to pay for it in terms of losing his picks for nothing. Still, the situation reminds me of when Tallon didn't send out the qualifying offers in a correct and timely manner. That in part led to his dismissal. Wonder if that might happen there with Feaster.

Paulhsson too should be in the bad, looking back I would of kept Malhotra because he was one of the leagues best faceoff ace's .
- Alexzanki

Agree but if I recall the contract wasn't too expensive and they did trade Pahlsson for value at the deadline.

Don't know if this is going to be coming later (if so I apologize for jumping the gun), but in my opinion Howson's biggest mistakes, and that is saying a lot, are the long-term contracts he handed out. Klesla, Vermette, Brassard, Mason, Tyutin, Umberger, Pahlsson, Commodore-all received 3 years or longer, and with the exception of Pahlsson, all $3mil or more per year. Not tradeable for any NHL ready value, or at all-and not worth the money spent or anywhere close. He fell in love with his own decisions, and set this franchise back 5 years or more. Oh, and if you want to say that Marc Methot was a good signing based on what he is doing in Ottawa, I would argue that the size of his contract is a reason why all we could get back is Foligno.

Sorry Glen, the guy was a disaster.

Good luck in tonight's game guys. This streak really needs to end some time.

Don't know if this is going to be coming later (if so I apologize for jumping the gun), but in my opinion Howson's biggest mistakes, and that is saying a lot, are the long-term contracts he handed out. Klesla, Vermette, Brassard, Mason, Tyutin, Umberger, Pahlsson, Commodore-all received 3 years or longer, and with the exception of Pahlsson, all $3mil or more per year. Not tradeable for any NHL ready value, or at all-and not worth the money spent or anywhere close. He fell in love with his own decisions, and set this franchise back 5 years or more. Oh, and if you want to say that Marc Methot was a good signing based on what he is doing in Ottawa, I would argue that the size of his contract is a reason why all we could get back is Foligno.

Sorry Glen, the guy was a disaster.
- Eric 1

No need to apologize to me, I don't disagree with you at all. If you notice the two signings I liked were Jan Hejda five plus years ago and the Vinny Prospal singing. I could have singled out more and for some reason left the extensions off the list for the most part. I did mention the Mason deal though.

Good luck in tonight's game guys. This streak really needs to end some time.
- heh49314

Without our top two defensemen I don't like our chances though. The Hawks are too talented to be kept at bay with our D corps the way it is right now unless Mason has a phenomenal performance tonight.

ive been thinking a while the hawks will lose a game you wouldnt expect. this just might be it.

ive been thinking a while the hawks will lose a game you wouldnt expect. this just might be it.
- predswilrule

The thought has crossed my mind. We would love to be the one end that streak. We'll need a big game from Mason to be sure.

The thought has crossed my mind. We would love to be the one end that streak. We'll need a big game from Mason to be sure.
- Glen Miller

OT loss without Johnson and Wiznewsky is a moral victory.

OT loss without Johnson and Wiznewsky is a moral victory.
- Alexzanki

Agree. Also no Dubi and no Brassard.

Agree. Also no Dubi and no Brassard.
- Glen Miller

Lady luck is on the Hawks shoulders. They should be steam rolling teams like the CBJ roster that was iced. Theyre not gonna keep healthy for when it really counts.

Def a moral victory for your boys.

Lady luck is on the Hawks shoulders. They should be steam rolling teams like the CBJ roster that was iced. Theyre not gonna keep healthy for when it really counts.

Def a moral victory for your boys.
- poisondhearts37

Lol, lady luck huh ? 21 games unbeaten in regulation and out of those i would say luck was on our side 2 or 3 times, the rest has been domination. I agree about the moral victory part tho.

Nice posts, Glen. Fun to read stuff like this as a hockey fan whether it's about your favorite team or not.

Lol, lady luck huh ? 21 games unbeaten in regulation and out of those i would say luck was on our side 2 or 3 times, the rest has been domination. I agree about the moral victory part tho.
- HawksGuySince85

Any time a team goes on a lengthy winning streak there is luck involved somewhere to keep it going. Puck bounces, few injuries, catching a tough team on the back end of two in two. That's not meant to diminish in any way what the Hawks have accomplished. Going 21 games in a row without a regulation loss is an extraordinary feat. There's a reason it's never been done before to start a season.

I haven't watched every Hawks game but I do know the Jackets have played them fairly close in all three. Yes, you can call it a moral victory to take last night's game into OT given the Jackets were without their top-two D and two of their three top C but I can tell you frankly there are no moral victories for this team any more. They are beyond tired of playing well only to be undone by a mistake here, a missed opportunity there or what have you. They are tired of losing period.

Nice posts, Glen. Fun to read stuff like this as a hockey fan whether it's about your favorite team or not.
- Hemingways

Thank you. I do my best and try to keep team bias as far removed as possible knowing I probably get a lot of readers who are fans of other teams.