Comments on Foul Balls: Martin Havlat Speaks His Mind

Panger using GWB as an example? HA!

2009-07-16T13:40:18.117-05:00

Panger using GWB as an example? HA!

Unfortunately for the country, there sure is. Mea...

2009-07-15T15:24:45.647-05:00

Unfortunately for the country, there sure is.

Meanwhile, waiting expectantly for Blanket Jackson's debut CD.

Get what you're saying, but when the Hawks hired S...

2009-07-15T15:22:55.542-05:00

Get what you're saying, but when the Hawks hired Stan Bowman 8 years ago at the age of 28, they did it with all this in mind.

They've been grooming him.

And also there's a slight difference in running the country and a hockey team. :)

Though I gotta say, his father knowing "a thing or...

2009-07-15T15:22:15.247-05:00

Though I gotta say, his father knowing "a thing or two" about the game doesn't mean much to me. Lot of sons follow in their successful fathers' footsteps. Few are as good. Nepotism just gives you the "in" - has no bearing on how successful you're going to be in the job. (Think George W. Bush.)

Probably. Like I said, time will tell.

2009-07-15T15:10:49.031-05:00

Probably. Like I said, time will tell.

Okay, well as far as Bowman being "dispassionate" ...

2009-07-15T15:04:11.354-05:00

Okay, well as far as Bowman being "dispassionate" all I can say is I'm not exactly surprised that a guy who just finished an hour long press conference and then started doing radio interviews directly afterward would not be full of energy.

I mean, what did you want him to do? Start screaming at the top of his lungs and proclaiming the Blackhawks the greatest team in

Honestly, I'm not. Havlat is old news now, histor...

2009-07-15T14:46:22.977-05:00

Honestly, I'm not. Havlat is old news now, history. He's got pretty much nothing to do with what I wrote.

And by no means am I saying that being "buddy buddy" with the players is a job requirement for GM. Indeed, as you stated, it's probably a net negative to be too close to the team members you need to make hard decisions about.

What I am saying

Panger, I get your concerns, I do, but I don't agr...

2009-07-15T14:31:08.221-05:00

Panger, I get your concerns, I do, but I don't agree with them.

A general manager's job in the NHL is about putting together a team that can win a Stanley Cup, and to manage the salary cap.

That's it.

His job is not to be best friends with the players. In fact, developing a personal relationship with the players can actually hinder his ability to

There seem to be two separate issues here. Sure, ...

2009-07-15T14:09:16.203-05:00

There seem to be two separate issues here. Sure, Havlat may be stirring the pot. But his sour grapes don't necessarily negate the truth of what he says.

I would have written most of this off until I heard the interview Stan Bowman did yesterday afternoon with the Afternoon Saloon. It really bugged me and has given me some worries about what has just gone down.

In the