2021 NHL regular season thread

Nah, but the NCAA is going to be so mad at the deal, they’ll put the Cleveland Barons on probation.

 

Turner Classic Movies will be hosting all of the Mighty Ducks games.

 

By the time people figure out what channel True TV is, it'll be the second intermission ... or, as Turner broadcasters would say, "halftime."

 

Lost in all this is some reporting done by our own Elliotte Friedman that there was some groundswell in an attempt to reign in salaries of coaches and front-office employees.

Imagine my surprise when Elliotte reported that Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is involved in this. Not coincidentally, Rod Brind'Amour is in the last season of his contract. We're approaching the end of RBA's third season, all of which have or will involve postseason play. Also, Brind'Amour has been one of the lowest-paid coaches in the NHL.

Dundon lowballed HOF radio announcer Chuck Kaiton, and basically forced him out.

Dundon and Ron Francis apparently didn't see eye to eye, and Dundon tried to force him out and tried to avoid market backlash by stripping of his GM title, kicking him "upstairs" and having him work from home instead of the ESA. Mr. Friedman was on top of that, reported such and Francis was relieved of all duties.

Dundon then tried to have Don Waddell – who was brought on years ago to run the ESA, the ticket office and everything except hockey operations – run hockey operations on his then-contract. Dundon tried to get Waddell to do the job without a contract, and the latter had to take an interview with another organization to get Dundon's attention to get a contract.

Elliotte, you're correct. Brind'Amour doesn't want to go anywhere, but given that Dundon is throwing around nickels like manhole covers, he will lose Brind'Amour, who has gotten plenty of notice for his work in Raleigh.

Also, Dundon lowballed both play-by-play announcer John Forslund and color analyst Tripp Tracy with ridiculous offers that were on a per-game basis - basically treating long-time, loyal, quality employees like disposable freelancers. Tracy took it, but Forslund knew he had a market and didn't take the garbage. Good for Forslund and Francis to forge a deal in Seattle.

So, let's summarize. Dundon has run off a HOF radio guy, an all-time player and GM who – whether or not Dundon will publicly acknowledge – has set the table for much of the current roster in Raleigh, and easily one of the best play-by-play sorts in the league. And he's just stupid and cheap enough to lose the coach who these players like and respect over a couple of dollars.

Dundon, if you can't foot the bill, sell the organization to someone who will. He is a growing problem. Period.

 

Based on your description of the owner, I imagine his team must be firmly planted in the basement of their division.

 

And yet they may be the best run organization on the hockey side. Someone is going to take Eric Tulsky off their hands.

 

Other than paying the players, Tom Dundon hasn't messed with the on-ice product.

But he's playing with fire – again – by meddling with coaches and front-office salaries. He could turn the organization in the wrong direction on the ice by watching Rod Brind'Amour fly away.

Yup. And Ron Francis hired him. He'll either follow Ronnie to Seattle or some NHL organization will go outside the retread box and give him a GM shot.

 

How much credit does Waddell get?
I covered him when he was a defenseman at Northern Michigan
Good guy who was in a no win situation in Atlanta

 

Sam, you love your team, I’ll give you that. But I think you think anybody associated with any past success in Carolina is irreplaceable. Even the play by play guy. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the vibe you give off.

Why not just enjoy the fact your team is in first place in the NHL?

 

What fun is that?

 

That’s why I asked about Waddell
I think he’s made some nice moves