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It’s About Time
by Paul on 09/24/09 at 06:38 PM ET
Comments (2)
from Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune,
Gretzky’s resignation Thursday was long overdue. Frankly, he should have been fired years ago, but no one in the Coyotes’ organization had the courage or conviction to stand up to him. They were still in awe of his legacy, the greatest player ever, the untouchable icon.
Well, look at where that idolatry got them….
I don’t blame Gretzky entirely for the Coyotes’ dismal results. He was working with one of the smaller payrolls in the NHL. But his decision to surround himself with sycophants and yes men stripped the organization of a vital resource — someone to stand up to Gretzky or question his decisions.
Who did Gretzky hire as general manager in 2001? His agent, Mike Barnett. Never mind that Barnett had no experience in an NHL front office. He was Wayne’s buddy.
That kind of cronyism ran rampant. Gretzky hired friends and relatives. Younger brother Keith was named director of amateur scouting. Marty McSorley, Gretzky’s former enforcer in Edmonton and Los Angeles, was hired as coach of the Coyotes’ American Hockey League affiliate even though he had no coaching experience.
Now, it’s not uncommon for coaches or GMs to hire people they’re familiar with. The difference with Gretzky is that he seemed to be handing out favors.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Wayne+Gretzky,
Comments
Bordow actually made sense, the article was pretty well written AND for once it is the truth!
Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 09/25/09 at 07:37 PM ET
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Scott Bordow is the kind of human being that no one wants to be around. He is the kind of human that kicks people when they are down. The kind of person who people normally don’t pay much attention to until he says something so far out in left field. Well Scott, you got my attention for about 2 minutes today. Good job.
It is becoming pretty clear that somehow Wayne wronged you Scott. Hopefully one day you will get that autograph and you will get off Wayne’s back.
Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 09/24/09 at 07:55 PM ET