stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I've been saying it for years, Bob Clarke should be the NHL commish - tons of front office experience and one of the most storied names in the NHL, has an undying love for the game and would definitely do whats best for the game. As a fun side note, last year I sent a copy of my resume to the NHL's offices in NY for a job as the commissioner with an intro page claiming how anyone who played the game automatically is more fit to be the commissioner than their current "leader" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) absolutely not. Clarke is a tough guy and was a great hockey player - but that doesn't mean he has the brains to turn the NHL around. Look what happened to the Flyers Edited October 17, 2007 by Yzerfan1999 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 absolutely not. Clarke is a tough guy and was a great hockey player - but that doesn't mean he has the brains to turn the NHL around. Look what happened to the Flyers QFT! he's not very bright Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 absolutely not. Clarke is a tough guy and was a great hockey player - but that doesn't mean he has the brains to turn the NHL around. Look what happened to the Flyers and look where the Flyers are now, not to mention how well they did during the rest of his time there?!? to place the emphasis on one year out of 12 is down right ridiculous... QFT! he's not very bright based on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Come on now, we all know we want sirdrake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Come on now, we all know we want sirdrake point. set. match... touche Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceMunkee 15 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Chris Chelios will retire and become the "commish" and charge $20 for a burger.... Seriously is there any real chance that Bettman will be releaved? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) and look where the Flyers are now, not to mention how well they did during the rest of his time there?!? to place the emphasis on one year out of 12 is down right ridiculous... based on? Clarke was not the one who signed Briere, nor the one who got Upshall, Lupul, Biron, Timonen or Jason Smith via trades. He was the guy who banked on Roman Chechmanik and Robert Esche winning him a Stanley cup. I am not questioning Clarke's devotion to hockey, he was a gritty talented player. But some of the things to come out of that guys mouth - and some of the teams he has iced have been dreadful. He does not have the mental capacity to run and market the NHL internationally. side note: I recall him saying he lacked the 'desire' to manage when he resigned last season anyways. Edited October 17, 2007 by Yzerfan1999 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) Clarke was not the one who signed Briere, nor the one who got Upshall, Lupul, Biron, Timonen or Jason Smith via trades. He was the guy who banked on Roman Chechmanik and Robert Esche winning him a Stanley cup. I am not questioning Clarke's devotion to hockey, he was a gritty talented player. But some of the things to come out of that guys mouth - and some of the teams he has iced have been dreadful. He does not have the mental capacity to run and market the NHL. He was also the GM who iced the squad from 1994 to 2002 and amassed a crap load of wins, not to mention a conference championship in 97 and an incredibly competitive team up until last year, you also can't blame the guy that players like Lindros and Primeau have eggshells as heads, which directly led to the departure of guys like Leclair.... also, don't forget that Eric Desjardins JUST retired... last year was an abortion of a year altogether for them and not much they could've done about it, also he is now president of operations and if you honestly think he didn't have anything to do with those trades or shifting since, you're out of your mind... Edited October 17, 2007 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) He was also the GM who iced the squad from 1994 to 2002 and amassed a crap load of wins, not to mention a conference championship in 97 and an incredibly competitive team up until last year, you also can't blame the guy that players like Lindros and Primeau have eggshells as heads, which directly led to the departure of guys like Leclair.... also, don't forget that Eric Desjardins JUST retired... last year was an abortion of a year altogether for them and not much they could've done about it, also he is now president of operations and if you honestly think he didn't have anything to do with those trades or shifting since, you're out of your mind... Go ahead argue his success as a GM all you want. I think 99% of the people involved in the NHL know Bobby Clarke as Commissioner is not an option or a solution. The guy is from the old NHL where hooking, clutching and cheap shots were all still part of the game - we are going forward, not backwards. This suggestion is so absurd I don't even know why I am having to argue against it. Edited October 17, 2007 by Yzerfan1999 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I still want Hull for commissioner. I'd settle for Chelios now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Go ahead argue his success as a GM all you want. I think 99% of the people involved in the NHL know Bobby Clarke as Commissioner is not an option or a solution. The guy is from the old NHL where hooking, clutching and cheap shots were all still part of the game - we are going forward, not backwards. going forward does not mean abandoning all former aspects, also, the league is getting flat out dangerous and dirty and it needs to get to a place where players respect and police themselves as well... also, yet again, ONE person does not make all the decisions, it is a whole board of governors, however, the commissioner should represent the league and actually know what makes the game tick I still want Hull for commissioner. I'd settle for Chelios now. In 100% honesty, I think Yzerman would be an amazing commish in 10 years or so after he gets a real strong idea of the administrative side of the game... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motorcitykid 42 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I've been saying it for years, Bob Clarke should be the NHL commish - tons of front office experience and one of the most storied names in the NHL, has an undying love for the game and would definitely do whats best for the game. As a fun side note, last year I sent a copy of my resume to the NHL's offices in NY for a job as the commissioner with an intro page claiming how anyone who played the game automatically is more fit to be the commissioner than their current "leader" Hilarious. Bobby Clarke? Are you kidding? He was a tough player. An ******* as well. Check on the state of the Flyers since he became management there and tell me how he'd be the guy to get the NHL and the idiots in New York back on track? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob the Badger 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I'd rather see Scotty Bowman running the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) and look where the Flyers are now, not to mention how well they did during the rest of his time there?!? to place the emphasis on one year out of 12 is down right ridiculous... based on? Bob Clarke quit his job because he realised he couldn't wrap his tiny brain around the complex CBA. Sure, when he had an open wallet he could do whatever he wanted, but with restrictions, he had no clue. He must have spent hours going over the CBA hoping that they'd make a Coles Notes version or at least include pictures. Let's see some of the 'great' moves he did: - signed Hatcher and Rathje after the NHL said that obstruction would be eliminated. Both guys turned into huge busts because they couldn't outskate an elephant on ice - traded for Chris Gratton how many times? - mispronounced his 2006 first round draft pick at the draft. All of the players that the Flyers have drafted have come from the scouting staff, not Clarke. A GM is in charge of signing players and dealing them. When he had a chance to sign Cujo in the mid 90's he signed a shot Vanbiesbrook instead. He traded half his roster for Lindros and then ridiculed him until he had no option but to leave. Clarke would be great as a commish for comedy reasons only. This job needs intelligence, something Clarke has none of. If any former players should be commish we should look at Ken Dryden. Edited October 17, 2007 by Hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) He traded half his roster for Lindros and then ridiculed him until he had no option but to leave Dryden would be a phenominal choice for commish!! but one small note. Clarke was GM in Minnesota and then Florida from 90-94. Russ Farwell was actually the Flyers GM who made the big trade to bring Lindros to philly. Edited October 17, 2007 by Legionnaire11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 going forward does not mean abandoning all former aspects, also, the league is getting flat out dangerous and dirty And Clarke, who was a notoriously dirty player, and espoused those 'virtues' as a GM as well, is the guy to eliminate this? and it needs to get to a place where players respect and police themselves as well... also, yet again, ONE person does not make all the decisions, it is a whole board of governors, however, the commissioner should represent the league and actually know what makes the game tick The main focus of the commissioner is the business side of the game. The office of the President was basically split into two separate positions; commissioner, who deals primarily with the business side, and the Director of Hockey Operations, whose primary duty is to oversee player discipline, and ensure the quality of the product on the ice. I don't think many out there would argue Colin Campbell is not a 'hockey guy' or that he doesn't understand the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I wouldn't be so quick to bash Clarke as a manager. Most of the time, he had a lot of success, and if you compare his track record to most other guys, he'll come out on top. But I think Brian Burke would make the best commish. I still want Hull for commissioner. I'd settle for Chelios now. I can't argue with that at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 When he had a chance to sign Cujo in the mid 90's he signed a shot Vanbiesbrook instead. As far as the Beezer thing...it's not Clarke's fault Joseph had his two best seasons as a Leaf. And Beezer never posted a GAA over 2.2 in Philly--a number Joseph has never reached in any season--so it's not like Beezer played poorly. Sign a guy who has been a Vezina contender several times and just carried his team to the Finals, or sign a guy who has never made it past the second round and is considered (at the time) playoff choker? The answer seems pretty obvious, and it's not Cujo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I'd rather see Bowman or Hull at the helm. But, I would DIE to see Don Cherry as the commish, man, that'd be my kind of hockey. There'd be more tough players, more Vladdys and Markovs, more guys like Larionov. Old time hockey. That's just the europeans too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 I don't really get how Bettman is still around... I mean, who actually likes what has happened with the league during his reign? I'd rather see Bowman or Hull at the helm. But, I would DIE to see Don Cherry as the commish, man, that'd be my kind of hockey. There'd be more tough players, more Vladdys and Markovs, more guys like Larionov. Old time hockey. That's just the europeans too! Nice touch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Dryden would be a phenominal choice for commish!! but one small note. Clarke was GM in Minnesota and then Florida from 90-94. Russ Farwell was actually the Flyers GM who made the big trade to bring Lindros to philly. I would actually be all for Dryden... same reasons and yes, I'll conceed, more smarts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Bettman 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 Bobby Clarke will not become the new commsioner, because that role belongs to me. Besides, he would not turn the league around. Nobody would, because it doesn't need to be turned around. I am doing a fine job. My associates, such as my good buddy Jeremy Jacobs (who is a great guy) tell me that everyday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted October 18, 2007 (edited) People are also forgetting most leagues require their commissioner to have some sort of professional degree, typically law. I know Bettman was a lawyer long before being a commissioner. Oh, and whoever mentioned Brian Burke must be out of their mind! (and not a wings fan) The guy is insane! Edited October 18, 2007 by Yzerfan1999 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRockit 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2007 People are also forgetting most leagues require their commissioner to have some sort of professional degree, typically law. I know Bettman was a lawyer long before being a commissioner. Oh, and whoever mentioned Brian Burke must be out of their mind! (and not a wings fan) The guy is insane! Then, by all means, Donald Trump fits the criteria here. As long as they have a degree and understand Big Business, yes? I mean, that's how GB got the job, and why our sport has done so well during the last decade. (must I /sarcasm mode?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
