Before I get into my thoughts, here is a look at some of the better thoughts from you all...
Now for my thoughts....
Best GMs:
Dave Poile:
For as reserved and quiet a person Poile is he has guts of steel when it comes to making HUGE trades and has the confidence and patience to give his coaches the amount of space they need. But last year he made two of the biggest trades in the last decade and didn't blink an eye.
Jim Rutherford:
Making the move to Sullivan as a coach and going out and getting pieces each of the last two years despite being completely up against the salary Cap.
Doug Wilson:
The Sharks have been competitive for many years and never been in a salary cap crunch. Wilson has managed Thornton and Marleau incredibly well... His trades for Burns and Martin Jones are why this team is no longer a team you can't get behind...
Jarmo Kekalainen:
One of the best NHL teams despite being the youngest team in the NHL.. And he survived two years of crazy circumstances.. Jarmo is crazy smart and surrounds himself with other intelligent hockey people...One such example that flies under the radar is one of the best assistant GMs in the game and one of the smartest, up and coming hockey people in Bill Zito who showed great had GM skill last year when guiding the clubs AHL affiliate to a Calder Cup through some slick great moves.
Worst GMs:
Doug Armstrong:
Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because he lost Backes for nothing doesn't mean he should have been afraid to lose Shattenkirk the same way...You can't just sabotage your own playoff run to make up for what could have been fixed long ago with better management... Backes could have stayed. He wanted to stay. But you could't wait until he was a UFA.
Jim Benning:
This may be a bit unfair because I really LOVED what Benning just did in the most recent deadline...and I believe he hired a very good coach in Desjardins... Also I don't think he has all the support he needs from the ownership....That said, he hasn't really made any moved to keep this team vital the past few years...
Garth Snow:
I like Garth and again the circumstances surrounding the Islanders have been ridiculous at times...Garth made two great moves several years ago on the same day to solidify their D, but stuck with Capuano a few YEARS too long and has been unwilling to trade ANY asset or take any chance to bring the needed talent upfront to help keep Tavares happy...
enjoy the games tonight...