Worst GM in the NHL Award

Needs improvement

For several years now we have been nominating GMs around the league as the “worst GM in the NHL award”. Past nominees include Scott Howson, Pierre Gauthier, Greg Sherman, Paul Holmgren, and Darcy Regier to name a few. By the way, all have been fired or have lost their responsibilities. In other words, we may be on to something here.

Here’s how it works. We nominate the GMs (based on their risky trades, unspectacular drafts or financially unsound signings). You vote the winner. Got it? Good.

Here’s 2014 nominees:

Dale Tallon – Florida Panthers

I’ve nominated Tallon three times since the inception of this award, but he has yet to win it. This year might be different since he has now held his post for four years and has one playoff berth to show for it.

Tallon has had four coaches in four seasons including Peter DeBoer, Kevin Dineen, Peter Horacek, and now Gerard Gallant. Gallant’s hiring was interesting considering he hasn’t been a head coach in the NHL since 2007. Plus, Dan Bylsma, John Stevens, and Ulf Samuelsson were all hot commodities and were all available.

Shall we talk about his roster?

Remember when Sather balked at Ryan Callahan for asking for a NTC? Sather said those clauses should only go to All-stars. Well, the guys who have them on the Panthers include Willie Mitchell, Brad Boyes, Scotty Upshall, Jusi Jokinen, Thomas Fleischmann, Dave Bolland, Brian Campbell, and Roberto Luongo. I don’t think I’d give an NTC or NMC to even one of those players.

Kevin Cheveldayoff  – Winnipeg Jets

Cheveldayoff probably isn’t a sexy pick. I’d be surprised if half of our readership even knew who he was. And that’s the problem with this guy. He hasn’t done anything to upgrade the Jets since they moved from Atlanta in 2011. His list of acquisitions would put most to sleep, unless Michael Frolik and Devin Setoguchi excite you. 

For a team that can’t really throw money at free agents, you would think they’d be loaded with prospects and first round picks every year. But they’re not. In fact, he has yet to trade for a first rounder. Talk about standing on the side lines…

Garth Snow – New York Islanders

I don’t really need to break this one down again do I?

In case you’re interested, here’s the posts from the previous years. In 2011, Paul Holmgren won the inaugural award. 2012 was the year of Scott Howson. Last year’s award went to Greg Sherman, who has since lost his responsibilities to Joe Sakic.