Deposed GM Dale Tallon will remain with the Blackhawks as a senior advisor.
It's a move that only seems surprising on the surface: Dale Tallon is out as general manager of the Blackhawks, despite the fact his young team captivated the city last winter en route to a berth in the Western Conference finals. But behind-the-scenes rumblings made it clear that Tallon had fallen out of favor, and the recent snafu involving the Hawks' restricted free agents provided a convenient opportunity to bring down the ax.
Tallon was named Hawks GM in 2005 and was one of the final holdovers from the Bill Wirtz regime. He deserves credit for bringing in a boatload of young talent via the draft, but also grossly overpaid on free agents Cristobal Huet and Brian Campbell. It was said that he often wasn't on the same page as president John McDonough on important matters such as the firing of coach Denis Savard early last season.
Assistant GM Stan Bowman inherits Tallon's title and is the "numbers guy" who will handle the difficult salary-cap issues when it's time to re-up young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Tallon joins Scotty Bowman in the nebulous capacity of "senior advisor, hockey operations," where it is assumed his talent-evaluation skills still will be utilized.
Yes, Tallon bungled the RFA contract offers and forced the team to overpay to re-sign Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker. Whether others were also at fault or not, Tallon took the fall as GM. But anybody who was paying attention during the postseason could tell that Tallon already was on his way out. Whenever chairman Rocky Wirtz would be interviewed about the team's surprising success, he would make it a point to praise Stan Bowman's behind-the-scenes efforts; when asked about Tallon and his future, Rocky would offer faint praise and say only that Tallon "has a contract" for one more year. It was obvious that no extension would be forthcoming.
Does anyone think Tallon got a bum deal? After all, the Hawks are a team on the rise and reached the conference finals under his watch. He has represented the franchise with dignity in numerous roles and now becomes the latest link from the past to be demoted or shown the door. But was he in over his head as a GM, much like Savard was as coach? How significant is this change at the top, and how much does it affect your expectations for the coming season?
Say what you want about the Hawks - they are a serious franchise. Now it remains to be seen if Stan Bowman's hiring is what's best for the franchise or some family favoritism. I know this much, Tallon made a mistake with the money and was shown the door. It almost brings a tear to my eye. The entire country can learn from this example.
It's a shame as Tallon has really turned the franchise around. It's hard for some of us long time fans who are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel to see Dale and Dennis both gone from their respective roles in one season. They suffered through the bad and should have been given time to enjoy some of the good.
I think Tallon got a bum deal, Stu. This firing was inevitable dating back to last year and I also think that the controversy last week involving the Hawks and the NHLPA over the grievance rules was a sabotage attempt to discredit Tallon further to justify the firing. Just an opinion, but no facts or evidence on my part. But you can't argue with the current success of the franchise. I just wish Tallon well and hope he can find another GM job somewhere else in the NHL.
dale tallon got screwed. scotty bowman wanted his son to get the job. wirtz is handling this in the tradition he grew up with. remember bob pulford? savard got screwed. too. watch the blackhawks slip back to the franchise of old.
and Jerry Angelo still has a job?
at least the Blackhawks make decisions and move forward
Overpaid? Barker and Versteeg very easily could have been lost to some other team(teams) in a bidding war.With unlimited up-side, Tallon deserved kudos for getting these two signed at this price.Does anyone NOT believe these two guya would be starters on at least 20 other teams?Within 2 years?How much do they make then?
If Dale Tallon lost his job "because of the snafu of last week," as it's reported by some, it's only being used as a ruse. It's quite obvious that they wanted Stan Bowman as their next GM. I also happen to believe another report that states that the clerical error was actually Stan's responsibility. Raw deal for Tallon? Only because of the ruse factor. I think they're trying to look for some timely and convenient excuse.
I listened to the SCORE online several weeks back while the Hawks were still playing. Mully and Hanley were interviewing Jacques Demers, whose most outstanding hockey accomplishment was a Stanley Cup victory as coach with Montreal in '93. They played a recent interview for him in which Rocky Wirtz had spoken about Dale as though Tallon was about to be shown the door while being as politically correct as Wirtz could be. Also, Rocky included ringing endorsements for Stan Bowman as basically being the "brains" of hockey operations. Based on the interview, Jacques Demers agreed with Mully and Hanley that Dale probably had little time left as GM. I think so as well. So, I think ruse is the best label we can give this snafu as being the last straw. However, if Stan (called Stan by his Hall of Fame father for the Stanley Cup) is responsible, that's what concerns me the most.
Dale Tallon truly did wonders for the Chicago Blackhawks as a GM. I'm happy that he wasn't completely shown the door and is being kept as an adviser, but I hope it's not merely to be some kind of "figure head." Did he make mistakes? Sure, just like Kenny Williams made mistakes, aggressive mistakes, but these minuses were far outweighed by the pluses. Dale is also a people-person with a sense of humor. From what I've heard from Stan, don't expect Mr. Personality.
I think Dale suffered mostly from two main aspects:
1. He was still a holdover from the "old regime" which is uncanny in a way since he really didn't have "old regime" qualities. However, I did hear him state his allegiance to the people who hired him which should be seen as admirable, not a reason to kick him out.
2. His aggressive signings last summer of Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet, paying them both way over what each is worth without really doing his homework on the economic future of a diminishing salary cap probably did him in. We must realize, while timing is also important in economics, both these players make more per year than the only superstar--currently--on the team in Marian Hossa. Moreover, I think that the higher-ups may be seeking to trade one or more of the following this next season: Patrick Kane (yes, I know Scotty Bowman wants more defense/toughness from him even at his very young age), Brian Campbell (c-comments for Pat Kane without the young age), Cristobal Huet (if he so much as resembles what he was last regular season). Dale wouldn't have parted with any of them I don't believe.
I still believe in the Chicago Blackhawks as an organization. We can't forget that firing Denis Savard wasn't popular either, but did work out for the better. If Stan Bowman is the "brains" of the organization, then maybe that's the final step? We'll see, but I prefer to keep the faith. I wish Dale Tallon well and thank him for all he's done.
Hitman, not only does Jerry still have his job, but Jim Hendry still has his too!
Rocky Wirtz didnt have the balls to come out and tell the truth as to why Tallon was let go. I feel the negative Karma already. This deal lands right into the lap of Scotty Bowman.
Very sad for D. Tallon.
By the way, you could divide a hockey GM's duties into these three categories:
1. Free Agency signings
2. Trades
3. Drafting and development
I think we could safely give Dale A's in #3 and B's or C's in #2. Category 1 however is either undecided, fair or poor. Supposedly, Stan Bowman's strengths are in scouting players already in the NHL which would include Categories 1 and 2. Hence, one could argue that the drafting and development phase for this team is basically over-admittedly Dale's passion. Now, this team may only need perfect veteran fits to put this team in dynasty mode. If this is indeed Stan's strength, then we may be looking at the analogous GM situation of Dale taking us to Point B and now it's Stan's job to take us to the mountaintop. Here's to Stan-ley Cup Bowman. Go get 'em Stan. Go Hawks.
"It's a shame as Tallon has really turned the franchise around. It's hard for some of us long time fans who are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel to see Dale and Dennis both gone from their respective roles in one season. They suffered through the bad and should have been given time to enjoy some of the good."
David:
I too thought that Savard got a raw deal, but in retrospect, looking at the bigger picture:
Without Rocky taking over, replacing that boob Pulford with John McDonough, hiring Scotty Bowman, and then dumping Savard for Quenneville, perhaps there wouldn't have been quite as much "good" to enjoy.
Tough, cold hearted moves indeed; but they were hard business decisions that did yield positive results.
Now it awaits to be seen whether or not Stan Bowman has enough of his father's talent and hockey acumen to justify taking over Tallon's position.
So far I prefer what I've seen from Hawk's management to that mess they're running up in Lake Forest.
A good franchise makes preemtive unpopular moves. They gamble and don't fire people because the team is losing and to appease fans. They move and fire people to get to the next level.
I hated Jerry Krause, but he fired Doug Collins and hired Phil Jackson. Then he traded Charles Oakley for Bill Cartwright. And then he signed Dennis Rodman. All preemptive strikes that made the Bulls Champions.
Now look at the White Sox. Kenny Williams hired Ozzie Guillen and traded for surly guy named AJ Pierzynski and many other crafty moves he brokered with the face of poker champ Phil Ivey. Preemptive strikes.
ALL of the contending NBA teams are making their moves NOW. When 2010 gets here, those free Agents are going to sign with one of them because quite frankly - the choice will be made for them by a wheeling dealing GM who has the forsight to put together a team that will only be one or two moves away from winning it all.
HAWKS are a franchise to be reckoned with - INSIDE and OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO. They are by FAR - the best thing going in this town. And my heart belongs to the Whitesox. The Cubs, Bears and Bulls are just filling seats. The Sox and Hawks are going for brass. The Hawks are doing it right and they are not waiting. Noone is more important than winning - THIS SEASON. Now thats a ticket you can purchase with pride and philosphy you can buy into. No song and dance - PLAYERS - ALLSTARS - SEASONED COACH - FREE AGENTS!! NOW!!
Those are a lot of "ifs" you typed in your last couple of posts, Gig. Look, I'm with you also for the most part, but there's just this aura of cover up stink about this whole thing that really bugs me. The more I keep hearing or reading about John McDonough trying to explain why Tallon was fired is just making me even more suspicious. This is coming from a guy who's only been involved with the Blackhawks a little over a year and now he thinks he knows all the little intricacies about NHL Hockey down from talent assessment, personnel management to the collective bargaining rules? If the Bowmans were really responsible for Marian Hossa coming here and Savard getting fired and so forth, not Tallon, then who's to say they weren't the real masterminds or at fault behind the scenes with the mishandling of the RFA signings? Remember, the Hossa signing and the decision to let Havlat go was all orchestrated BEFORE the RFA signing controversy. Of course Tallon has to take full blame and announce it because he's a company guy and he can't just hurl out accusations in the media. Bottom line, it's obvious that Stan Bowman was in line to take over that job the moment Scotty Bowman was brought in the Front Office. This PR nonsense from McDonough is just making things worse because it's too contradicting. They were better off keeping their mouths shut and let the team continue to run its normal course of business instead of pointing fingers like that. Life goes on of course and Go Hawks, but this incident is not something that I will reflect back on with good memories, especially if this move backfires in the long run. We'll see.
Edgar, I just got off the phone with my dad who still lives in Chicago and follows the Hawks closely. We're both in agreement that this has "stink" written all over it. John McDonough has lost some respect from me. He's obviously being a bit devious about it all. You're right. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut? John, Hawk fans knew you wanted Dale out. Like Savard, we would have voiced our displeasure, but at least you'd still have our full respect. Now? your respect level has dropped and you only have yourself to blame for it John McDonough. Be a stand up guy just like Dale Tallon has been and probably always will be.
I'm trying to look at the positives surrounding this, but it's hard to walk past the "stink" pretending like there isn't any at all.
Tallon bungled the RFA contract offers and forced the team to overpay to re-sign Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker.
I understand this part.
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Assistant GM Stan Bowman inherits Tallon's title and is the "numbers guy" who will handle the difficult salary-cap issues when it's time to re-up young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
This part I don't understand.
If you are the Assistant GM and numbers guy, how come you get a promotion when not letting your boss or bosses know that there might be a deadline problem coming up? Isn't Bowman supposed to know about upcoming RFA contracts that are to be met as an Assistant GM?
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Seems like a little brown-nosing was going on off the ice.
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/blackhawks-confidential/2009/07/hossa-faces-surgery-hawks-a-marketing-mess.html
In light of Marian Hossa's "shoulder injury," I suggest this interesting article about John McDonough possibly becoming Richard Nixon II. What's up with John McDonough and his marketing prowess or lack thereof?