Oscargasm wrote on Thu, 24 January 2019 14:34

Kr55 wrote on Thu, 24 January 2019 15:03 smyth260 wrote on Thu, 24 January 2019 13:47 I normally love his insight but I am quite disappointed with Friedman's take on the OBC in his 31 thoughts blog. Quote: I’m not buying the “old Oilers are interfering” narrative. Oh, they’ve got opinions, but how much did they really stand in the way of anything Edmonton did or didn’t do the past four seasons? I’m not convinced it happened often, if at all. And it will be important for the organization to line up in support of Nicholson during this search, rather than splintering into separate fiefdoms. I listened to the podcast today as well. He says he thinks that they just give their opinions and don't interfere, and the decisions aren't up to the old guard. He says where is the evidence that they do have decision power? My problems with that: 1) The clear cut evidence is this: MacTavish is currently Senior VP of Hockey Ops, Lowe's son is the captain of the Condors, Paul Coffey was decided to be the best hire as skills coach, and Scott Howson has rejoined the team an a player development role under Chiarelli. If it isn't interfering, the influence is still strong. Who knows what else they have had influence on, even if they don't have decision power. 2) The main problem is NOT if they have decision power or not. It's that they are in the conversations at all. Quite frankly, the group of men responsible for the 2006-2015 Oilers pre-Chiarelli should not have any say at all, and just shouldn't be employed. This is not that difficult to understand, and I think media often has a short term memory as if things get reset when a new GM takes over. No. Their failures when they were in direct control are not erased. Just heard young Willis insist that the OBC influence is overblown as well. I'm sure we'll be hearing lots of that from the mainstream guys as well. They're all still here, but you're just paranoid if you think they have any influence, get over it you overreacting fans! Lowe is VERY important to the Oilers Entertainment Group. He’s been an integral part in acquiring and developing the real estate around Rogers. His Realty expertise is next to none, I mean look at his website!! https://www.agentklowe.com MacT’s experience on the ice, behind the bench, and in THE chair makes him irreplaceable. He plays a dynamic role in assisting Bill Scott, giving him pointers on how to manage the cap using his EMBA. His EMBA also comes in handy in assisting Kevin Lowe in the real estate side of the OEG. With his past, he is able to provide advice throughout all levels of hockey ops and he is VERY good at only providing his opinions when asked, as he has a lot on his plate managing the Merch side of OEG. Howson plays a role in assisting Craig as well as being the pigeon carrier between Woodcroft and Chiare... Keith. He’s the closest of the OBC to hockey ops, however as he wasn’t an Oiler player Bob deems it acceptable. Wayne provides wine, as well as a voice on Katz shoulder. FYI, Wayne has kept Katz calm through the years. Without Wayne, and Katz own ‘prescriptions’, Katz would have snapped and fired everyone years ago. As for Keegan, he grew up with a father who has an impressively large collection of rings and has witnessed first hand many a banner raisings, including the Lowe 4 banner hanging in his family homes foyer. From a young age, he learned a thing about winning, if that was ever a concern. ... okay back to reality. It won’t be a quick fix. It doesn’t matter who they bring in. Chiarelli hindered us for next season with what is left on the cap. Buyouts won’t help much. It’s at the point where if you can’t move Spooner and Manning for a 7th... you have to just hold them and ride out their contracts. It sucks... but next season were in for much of the same as this year. Sigh. Big *bleeping* sigh. Best of luck to Keith. I need a break from this team, I’ve sworn off watching them for the remainder of the month.

This is really the question. If all of these former players are totally uninvolved in hockey ops, why are they employed? I don’t see the skill sets beyond hockey ops. Well actually I don’t even see that skill set.

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you can get a lottery pick.