Pierre McGuire (Getty Images)
Try as I might, I can’t come up with a single good reason to hire network hockey analyst Pierre McGuire as the Penguins’ new general manager.
McGuire is a great hockey mind. His work ethic is well known.
But he’s been in the media since 1997. He built a great reputation as a scout and assistant coach with the Penguins from 1990-92. But his stint as Hartford Whalers head coach in 1993-94 ended in chaos. McGuire replaced Paul Holmgren in November of that season, posted a 23-37-7 record and was fired immediately after.
Said Pat Verbeek, the Whalers’ captain, “His actions are the exact opposite of what he says. You just can’t believe anything he says. He was more wrapped up in himself and how he looked.” Verbeek called McGuire’s dismissal “the best thing that could happen to this hockey team right now.”
That was 20 years ago. Does it have any relevance now?
Maybe it does, especially when you consider than McGuire has, since then, barely built on his NHL resume. McGuire was an assistant coach for two months with Ottawa in 1995-96. He coached in the ECHL in 1996-97. His record was 31-33-6. That’s Class AA hockey.
McGuire has never worked in the NHL since the salary cap was adopted in 2005. Interim GM Jason Botterill is a cap wizard. But is he going to stick around Pittsburgh after being passed over for McGuire?
Why is McGuire even being considered? It’s almost mind-boggling.
But he’s definitely being considered. One inside source calls McGuire the frontrunner for the job. McGuire has visited Pittsburgh for two interviews. McGuire’s biggest strength is doubtless the interview process.
For the last 20 years, McGuire has made a good living projecting earnest credibility to millions of TV viewers. Being believed is his job. Transfer that to a job interview. “I will win you Stanley Cups. This team isn’t far away.” It’s easy to imagine McGuire saying that to CEO David Morehouse.
McGuire is close friends with ex-GM Ray Shero. It’s been said that McGuire would feel conflicted about replacing Shero. Not too conflicted, apparently.
Can McGuire ditch broadcasting and be a successful GM? It’s a difficult transition.
It’s one thing to analyze with no accountability via results. McGuire knows everything about the NHL, but has minimal experience dealing with a team’s moving parts, including none at all in almost two decades. It’s a different application of hockey knowledge, a different kind of hockey knowledge.
Barry Melrose left ESPN to become Tampa Bay’s coach in 2008. He got fired six weeks into the season. Eddie Olczyk left the Penguins’ broadcast booth to coach the club in 2003. He was terminated midway through his second campaign.
John Davidson, however, has done a good job as an NHL executive after stepping down as a TV analyst. Same with Dale Tallon, who did more than anyone to build the Blackhawks team that won Stanley Cups in 2010 and last season.
We don’t know McGuire can’t do the job. We just don’t know that he can.
McGuire isn’t the safe hire. Somebody like Botterill or Tampa Bay assistant GM Julien BriseBois would be the safe hire.
Is McGuire a showbiz hire? That will certainly be said if McGuire fails. His employment will grab headlines.
The Penguins must make the right choice. That’s never been more necessary. The franchise is entering the second half of the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin era. They wasted most of the first half. A quick, efficient fix is required.
McGuire can provide that. If he’s as smart as he seems to think he is.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
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