Jan 2, 2014
If there’s one common thread in today’s National Hockey League, it’s the management decisions being made in such improvised fashion.
“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.” But, obviously, there’s a reason for everything. We have to trust our management to make the right decisions.” – Teammate Max Pacioretty regarding Mike Cammalleri
Not too long ago we witnessed forward Mike Cammalleri get traded to the Calgary Flames mid game after 40 minutes of play. A guy, who a year earlier was a significant factor in propelling the Montreal Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Finals past the heavily favored Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins was now gone in the most unorthodox way possible. Had he contributed offensively in the game, maybe his fate would have been different. Now two years later, we continue to see management decisions being made on the fly.
In today’s storied Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at the Big House in Ann Harbor featuring the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, John Michael Liles did not enjoy the spectacle that he envisioned as he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Tim Gleason and prospect Dennis Robertson immediately following warm ups. From the press box he watched his former Maple Leafs skate to a 3-2 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings in large part to shootout scorers Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak.
We might as well begin to get used to this business-like mentality that is becoming more publicized in the world of professional sports. Liles has played 32 games this season and has bolstered 2 goals and 9 assists while averaging 16:30 ice time/game. Gleason has played in 15 games and has recorded one assists while averaging 15:00 ice time/game. Prospect Dennis Robertson, a senior from Brown University is considered an NHL longshot according to TSN analyst Bob Mckenzie.
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie3h
FWIW, multiple scouting reports on Dennis Robertson: Hard-nosed, meat-and-potatoes def dman, likely good AHLer, longshot to be NHL regular.
