Toronto Star: Lessons for Maples Leafs in turnaround of Florida Panthers
Some positive love for the Cats in one of Canada's largest newspapers - The Toronto Star. Almost fainted when I saw in the print edition of the Saturday Star.
For most of the past 10 seasons, that might have been part of a punch line. But the Florida Panthers are no longer a joke.
They are leading the NHL’s Southeast Division and are on pace to become the third seed in the post-season, a remarkably quick turnaround for a franchise that hired Dale Tallon as general manager less than two years ago.
“In that time, he’s put together a blueprint that’s worked,” said Panthers president Michael Yormark. “He’s given us credibility. He helped us reposition our brand, both in our market and in the hockey world.”
Maple Leaf fans can only shake their heads and wonder at the Panthers turnaround.
Leafs GM Brian Burke is into Year 4 of a five-year rebuild, which may well have taken a step back with the collapse of the team’s goaltending and his failure to snare a top-notch centre.
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Nice to see some great stories about the Cats, and I think it's highly relevant given that Burke has been here in this city for four years, and Tallon has blow apart and rebuilt his team in two.
That's the problem with Toronto being such a big market - they're afraid of doing a true rebuild. Whereas Tallon knew he had nothing to lose - the team was already terrible, so he did what was needed for this franchise and started tearing it down to build it back up.
I'm so thankful we hired Tallon. And I am so thankful that he's doing what this franchise has needed to do for the last ten years.
Keep it up - it's great to see articles like this!
Nice to know that we're finally getting some recognition up there. Now, if it would just transcend to many other media outlets, including even local ones, the team would get the absolute recognition that they deserve.
Why interview Yormark? He has NOTHING to do with the actual game of hockey. He's a business man that runs the arena, not a hockey person.
You are 100% right hes not a hockey mind. And he will tell you that flat out. And you are right he really doesnt do much on the hockey end.
Viner could of spoke, but he is not a public speaker. Great guy, will talk to each and every fan, cheers wit us at times at pantherland, but not a media guy.
Thats what Yormark does, and quite well. Hes a hockey fan but the first to admit "not a hockey guy". Yes there are things he does, that piss us all off from time to time, but call a thrasher fan and ask them how they are doing, while we've survived a decade of disaster and have sponsors.
so that's why interview Yormark; hes talon's boss, in a way, and the speaker of the franchise.
Last edited by adam graves: 03-12-2012 at 03:35 PM.
Mike Santos deserves some credit for the turnaround, as well. The day we signed all those guys, Tallon, himself, credited Santos for the signings of some of the free agents. Upshall and Goc, specifically, were mentioned as guys Santos liked and was very familiar with. The deadline acquisition of Smithson was more Santos than Tallon, as well.
It's great to see that our assistant GM is probably better than the GM's we've had over the years.
Mike Santos deserves some credit for the turnaround, as well. The day we signed all those guys, Tallon, himself, credited Santos for the signings of some of the free agents. Upshall and Goc, specifically, were mentioned as guys Santos liked and was very familiar with. The deadline acquisition of Smithson was more Santos than Tallon, as well.
It's great to see that our assistant GM is probably better than the GM's we've had over the years.
Agreed.
And dineen for bringing a positive atmosphere to the lockeroom.
Burke could have done a rebuild if he wanted to. I doubt ownership would have fired him right after hiring him and with all that pomp and circumstance. He could have done whatever he wanted. He just thought he was so much smarter than everyone else. "You don't have to do a 5 year rebuild in the NHL anymore". Meanwhile, 5 years later...
Hahaha I just went over and took a peak... Leaf fans make me LOL
I also agree that Santos deserves a huge amount of credit too. Goc has been a god-send (or Goc-send??? )
I just love that Leaf fans and Burke were so arrogant when he strolled into town. He thought he had all the answers and would fix this team in no time. It is so satisfying to watch my team unfold with a bright future, and Toronto still a shambles.
Hahaha I just went over and took a peak... Leaf fans make me LOL
I also agree that Santos deserves a huge amount of credit too. Goc has been a god-send (or Goc-send??? )
I just love that Leaf fans and Burke were so arrogant when he strolled into town. He thought he had all the answers and would fix this team in no time. It is so satisfying to watch my team unfold with a bright future, and Toronto still a shambles.
So good to know those days are well behind us.
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