Gillis named, offers indictments and espousals
April 24th, 2008 by thewordbirdNewly named General Manager Michael Gillis has shown many things with an open past. Gillis has also quickly realized that this hockey town lives on the Canucks’ pulse. He has left himself quite open to the media, offering up candid and thoughtful answers to both the obvious and obscure questions. On radio alone, he has completed three separate interviews with members of the TEAM1040.
A very well-spoken and thoughtful individual on first impression, Gillis offered up answers and gave his opinions rather punctually. An eloquent indictment of previous management was the status quo, as not to give the impression that things were rosy and that he could ride this ship into the harbour. No, he scolded the player development and scouting aspects of the organization and wondered out loud about the speed and toughness up front. Gillis did however mildly praise Alain Vigneault, said Steve Tambellini was vital to the team, thrust the mantle of ‘world’s best goaltender on Roberto Luongo and said his defense was solid. He admitted that he had never even met the coaches or scouting staff and that everyone is on a clean slate from this time forward. He will be examining past records though, judging all the team’s assets. Expect big changes up until and through draft-day. One thing to keep and eye on – many coaches and other staffers have been ‘kicked to the curb’ after a ringing endorsement. I expect the scouts to now have boxes in the trunks of their cars at GM Place’s parking lot, as they should very well be sent packing. [That is also part of the problem….why are they at GM Place now anyhow? Scouting happens on the road.]
Flexibility that Nonis is responsible for in constructing the team is available, with ~$20 million in Cap Room as the primary source, to begin to mold his team.
In what was the hiring of a hockey and business man (ex-player and player’s agency founder), things were up in the air and the Aquilinis as well as President Chris Zimmerman faced criticism in having waded through a dearth of candidates in eight days. I started to look at the fact that Gillis’ immediate family moved here in the past few months and that he has stated that he has not formerly met or discussed the prospect with ownership. He has admitted outright that ‘capology’ needs to be addressed and that he will be hiring someone to focus on that angle. He has handled this admirably thus far.
People close to Gillis say that he has coveted a GM job, and that Vancouver would be a good fit. Pavel Bure was quoted as saying “I think he’s a smart guy who knows the hockey world” yesterday. His career as a businessman and agent was impressive. Negotiation skills, cunning and hutzpah are of course, assets. Time will tell. I hope so.
April 25th, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson