Stan Bowman rumored for Oilers GM after Stanley Cup loss: A controversial choice
Photo credit: Teams USA Hockey
Oilers at a crossroads: Navigating post-holland era and the Bowman controversy.
As the dust settles from the Stanley Cup Finals, where the Edmonton Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers, a more pressing issue looms over the team�the departure of General Manager Ken Holland.
Following a five-year stint, Holland's retirement has thrown the Oilers' front office into a state of flux, opening up a contentious debate on his successor.
Holland, who took up the Oilers' GM role in 2019 after leaving a senior position with the Detroit Red Wings, leaves behind a legacy of significant decisions and outcomes.
His departure aligns closely with the team's loss in the finals, marking a pivotal moment for the organization.
Now, the Oilers find themselves pondering a list of potential candidates that includes familiar faces like Keith Gretzky and former Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill.
However, a more controversial figure is also being considered�Stan Bowman, the former Blackhawks GM, whose potential candidacy is stirring debate.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic points to Bowman as a serious contender for the role.
This suggestion comes despite the shadow cast by Bowman's past, specifically his resignation in 2021 following the Kyle Beach scandal, which saw him sidelined from the NHL due to what was described as an "inadequate response" to serious allegations within the Blackhawks organization.
The debate intensified after recent developments. As Nugent-Bowman reports:
« There were whispers swirling around an Oilers-Bowman connection last month, something St. Louis Blues rinkside reporter Andy Strickland noted on Sunday. Those whispers grew louder after what happened the next day.
Bowman, coach Joel Quenneville, and executive Al MacIsaac were reinstated by the NHL on Monday after a nearly three-year exile. They'd been banished for what the league deemed their «inadequate response» to Kyle Beach's allegations of sexual assault by video coach Brad Aldrich in Chicago in 2010.
The three men can start working for an NHL team as early as Wednesday. Jackson was asked Monday if Bowman would be considered for the vacant GM job. He could have shot down the possibility of the three-time Stanley Cup-winning manager working for the Oilers. Instead, Jackson said he hadn't thought about it because he'd been so busy dealing with free agency.
Until there's cold water poured on Bowman, 51, joining the Oilers or Jackson hires someone else, the smoke will continue to blow. »
Bowman, coach Joel Quenneville, and executive Al MacIsaac were reinstated by the NHL on Monday after a nearly three-year exile. They'd been banished for what the league deemed their «inadequate response» to Kyle Beach's allegations of sexual assault by video coach Brad Aldrich in Chicago in 2010.
The three men can start working for an NHL team as early as Wednesday. Jackson was asked Monday if Bowman would be considered for the vacant GM job. He could have shot down the possibility of the three-time Stanley Cup-winning manager working for the Oilers. Instead, Jackson said he hadn't thought about it because he'd been so busy dealing with free agency.
Until there's cold water poured on Bowman, 51, joining the Oilers or Jackson hires someone else, the smoke will continue to blow. »
This backdrop sets the stage for a complex decision-making process. Should the Oilers entertain the idea of hiring Bowman, a man with a proven track record but a complicated past? Or should they steer clear and opt for a less contentious figure?
As the Oilers weigh their options, the debate amongst fans and pundits alike is poised to intensify.
The choice of a new GM will undoubtedly shape the team's strategy and culture in the coming years, making it a decision of critical importance.
This period of transition will be a test of the Oilers' values and vision, as they look to rebuild trust and aim for future triumphs on the ice.
Source: Hockey Feed
Oilers linked to Stan Bowman as replacement for Ken Holland
Oilers linked to Stan Bowman as replacement for Ken Holland
| POLL | ||
5 JUILLET | 52 ANSWERS Stan Bowman rumored for Oilers GM after Stanley Cup loss: A controversial choice Should the Oilers hire Stan Bowman? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 38.5 % |
| No | 32 | 61.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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