Visualization Paper
As I departed the subway train at Penn Station to begin my work day, I’m truly excited for the evening ahead. It’s mid-day and I’m in the midst of the Manhattan crowd, dressed in business attire while carrying a briefcase with my laptop and other gadgets. I call my Head Coach, to convey a message. That message is to motivate him, so he can motivate our players. In a game with so much at stake, it’s important I emphasize that and make sure my team is prepared more so than ever before. I reiterate the importance of tonight’s game, just as we talked about the night before on our way back from New Jersey. As I head into work at Madison Square Garden, I take a glimpse of the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty, the emblem that is on our team’s alternate jersey which we’re wearing tonight.
We’re on a roll, as the team has just won its fifth straight game, the last being last night across the Hudson in what was the first half of a home and home series with our cross town rivals, the New Jersey Devils. A thrilling 5-4 shootout victory tied us with them in the National Hockey League standings and tonight provides an opportunity for us to clinch the Atlantic Division title on the final night of regular season play. I, Brian Guindon, General Manager of the New York Rangers have guided the Broadway Blue shirts from the basement of the Atlantic Division to a chance at first place in the NHL’s toughest division, all this on my first year on the job as a rookie General Manager. All that stands in the way is the final tilt of the home and home series. This time we’re in the comfort of our own building, the world’s
most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. As the national anthems are sung and the player introductions are announced, I get jitters as I realize what I’ve
accomplished and what’s at stake. I then realize that I took over a team who missed the playoffs in the previous seven seasons, and I’ve assembled a winning
team. Right from hiring a new coach; whom I had a great relationship with over the course of the season; to acquiring players throughout the season. All the players I had traded away because I never felt they were the right fit for the new breed of Rangers. The coaching staff; I let go because the players had tuned them out over the years. I thrive in the situation that the New York Rangers ownership has put me in. They’ve shown great confidence in my ability to analyze people, acquire talent
with a desire to win, maximize employee efficiency, and oversee daily operations.
As the opening face-off puck is dropped and the play is underway, I order dinner in my suite. As I wait for dinner, I take out my lap top from my brief case and see tonight’s line-ups. Of note, on New Jersey’s roster a star defenseman I traded away prior to the season opener in early October. It then struck me, the reason I had traded him away. He was nearing his mid-thirties and was taking up too much of the team’s payroll. I had acquired a young good looking Canadian player with a plethora of amazing potential. I chuckled as I recall the headline of the New York Times the morning after the trade “GM GUINDON BOLDY STAMPS NEW REGIME: A new acquisition – an unproven hot shot rookie Centre for an expensive proven veteran defenseman.” For sake of time, the story has been fast forwarded
to the third period where it’s a 3-3 tie. As I turn my attention back towards the game, I watch with excitement as one of my acquisitions starts a rush up the ice. In full speed, the Rangers charge the Devils zone with authority passing with precision, skating with ease and determination. With constant pressure as if we’re on a power play, the Rangers pepper the Devils All-Star goaltender with a barrage of shots. While running around in chaos, the opposition is exhausted and takes a hooking penalty.
The “pump you up” rocking hockey music begins to blare in MSG, and the fans get psyched up. The New Jersey Captain and best player wins the face-off back to his defenseman, and they appear to start a rush the other way, but instead dump it in and undergo a line change. Included in the fresh players now on the ice are the young Canadian Centre for the hometown Rangers, and the veteran defenseman formerly of the Rangers. The two players swapped for each other are now on the ice once again opposing each other as they’ve often been throughout this critical game. The Rangers goaltender comes out of his net and plays the shoot-in and leaves it for his own defenseman behind the net. The defenseman retrieves the puck, calms the pace down, and allows his team to re-group and get organized. As he straddles the puck back and forth on the blade of his stick, he’s cautious of the fore checkers as they approach. He remains calm and heads up the ice. Now approaching his own blue line he spots his blonde locked Centre wide open approaching the offensive blue line with breakaway speed. He delivers his pin point precision pass right on the tape of the youngster, and he’s in all alone against New Jersey’s All-Star goaltender. The fans, excited as ever, jump up in excitement. as they see their star youngster on a breakaway with the Devils defenseman chasing him. The Ranger shrugs off the stick check, and does a head and stick fake right, to get the goalie moving laterally side to side, and it works, the youngster goes back to his forehand and has the goalie out of position as he sees the gaping net. As the goalie leaps back and reaches over, the Rangers youngster flicks the puck and ripples the mesh on the back of the net. The wild celebration begins as the crowd in amazed is amazed at the youngster’s stellar performance. He’s just broken the tie game in the final seconds of the game to lead the Rangers in victory over the Devils. Not just that, he scored the biggest goal of the season in the game with the most at stake, as the Rangers just claimed the Atlantic Division title and earned home ice advantage for the playoffs. I erupt with applause and celebrate my team’s victory. I have a sense of extreme happiness, and accomplishment that I’ll never forget. Red, white and blue confetti and tinsel falls from the rafters as the final siren ends the exciting epic matchup. The teams gathers for their famous team salute at center ice; and acknowledge the fans appreciation of their accomplishments this season and look forward to the playoffs. As I begin to put my suit jacket on, I accidentally push play on my ipod, and I hear the song “We Are the Champions” from Queen. Perhaps a little bit of foreshadowing for what is to come.
Visualization paper written
June 7th 2006
We’re on a roll, as the team has just won its fifth straight game, the last being last night across the Hudson in what was the first half of a home and home series with our cross town rivals, the New Jersey Devils. A thrilling 5-4 shootout victory tied us with them in the National Hockey League standings and tonight provides an opportunity for us to clinch the Atlantic Division title on the final night of regular season play. I, Brian Guindon, General Manager of the New York Rangers have guided the Broadway Blue shirts from the basement of the Atlantic Division to a chance at first place in the NHL’s toughest division, all this on my first year on the job as a rookie General Manager. All that stands in the way is the final tilt of the home and home series. This time we’re in the comfort of our own building, the world’s
most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. As the national anthems are sung and the player introductions are announced, I get jitters as I realize what I’ve
accomplished and what’s at stake. I then realize that I took over a team who missed the playoffs in the previous seven seasons, and I’ve assembled a winning
team. Right from hiring a new coach; whom I had a great relationship with over the course of the season; to acquiring players throughout the season. All the players I had traded away because I never felt they were the right fit for the new breed of Rangers. The coaching staff; I let go because the players had tuned them out over the years. I thrive in the situation that the New York Rangers ownership has put me in. They’ve shown great confidence in my ability to analyze people, acquire talent
with a desire to win, maximize employee efficiency, and oversee daily operations.
As the opening face-off puck is dropped and the play is underway, I order dinner in my suite. As I wait for dinner, I take out my lap top from my brief case and see tonight’s line-ups. Of note, on New Jersey’s roster a star defenseman I traded away prior to the season opener in early October. It then struck me, the reason I had traded him away. He was nearing his mid-thirties and was taking up too much of the team’s payroll. I had acquired a young good looking Canadian player with a plethora of amazing potential. I chuckled as I recall the headline of the New York Times the morning after the trade “GM GUINDON BOLDY STAMPS NEW REGIME: A new acquisition – an unproven hot shot rookie Centre for an expensive proven veteran defenseman.” For sake of time, the story has been fast forwarded
to the third period where it’s a 3-3 tie. As I turn my attention back towards the game, I watch with excitement as one of my acquisitions starts a rush up the ice. In full speed, the Rangers charge the Devils zone with authority passing with precision, skating with ease and determination. With constant pressure as if we’re on a power play, the Rangers pepper the Devils All-Star goaltender with a barrage of shots. While running around in chaos, the opposition is exhausted and takes a hooking penalty.
The “pump you up” rocking hockey music begins to blare in MSG, and the fans get psyched up. The New Jersey Captain and best player wins the face-off back to his defenseman, and they appear to start a rush the other way, but instead dump it in and undergo a line change. Included in the fresh players now on the ice are the young Canadian Centre for the hometown Rangers, and the veteran defenseman formerly of the Rangers. The two players swapped for each other are now on the ice once again opposing each other as they’ve often been throughout this critical game. The Rangers goaltender comes out of his net and plays the shoot-in and leaves it for his own defenseman behind the net. The defenseman retrieves the puck, calms the pace down, and allows his team to re-group and get organized. As he straddles the puck back and forth on the blade of his stick, he’s cautious of the fore checkers as they approach. He remains calm and heads up the ice. Now approaching his own blue line he spots his blonde locked Centre wide open approaching the offensive blue line with breakaway speed. He delivers his pin point precision pass right on the tape of the youngster, and he’s in all alone against New Jersey’s All-Star goaltender. The fans, excited as ever, jump up in excitement. as they see their star youngster on a breakaway with the Devils defenseman chasing him. The Ranger shrugs off the stick check, and does a head and stick fake right, to get the goalie moving laterally side to side, and it works, the youngster goes back to his forehand and has the goalie out of position as he sees the gaping net. As the goalie leaps back and reaches over, the Rangers youngster flicks the puck and ripples the mesh on the back of the net. The wild celebration begins as the crowd in amazed is amazed at the youngster’s stellar performance. He’s just broken the tie game in the final seconds of the game to lead the Rangers in victory over the Devils. Not just that, he scored the biggest goal of the season in the game with the most at stake, as the Rangers just claimed the Atlantic Division title and earned home ice advantage for the playoffs. I erupt with applause and celebrate my team’s victory. I have a sense of extreme happiness, and accomplishment that I’ll never forget. Red, white and blue confetti and tinsel falls from the rafters as the final siren ends the exciting epic matchup. The teams gathers for their famous team salute at center ice; and acknowledge the fans appreciation of their accomplishments this season and look forward to the playoffs. As I begin to put my suit jacket on, I accidentally push play on my ipod, and I hear the song “We Are the Champions” from Queen. Perhaps a little bit of foreshadowing for what is to come.
Visualization paper written
June 7th 2006
Dynasties
The NHL’s first dynasty took place when Toronto won 6 Cups in 9 seasons (41/42-50/51). It was the first time a team had won three consecutive seasons. The team was also the youngest in the league with an average age of just 24.2 years old. The team was assembled by GM Conn Smythe and coached by Hap Day and led on the ice by Turk Broda in net, new Captain Ted Kennedy, Max Bentley and Bill Barilko. This 48-49 edition of the Leafs is considered the 15thbest all-time team.
Detroit won 4 Stanley Cups and had 7 consecutive regular-season titles. Champs in ’50,’52, 54’, ’55. The team was assembled by “trader Jack” Jack Adams and coached by Tommy Ivan and was led on the ice by Howe, Lindsay, Abel, Delvecchio, Kelly and Sawchuk. Their ’51-’52 edition is considered the 5th best all-time team and is most famous for going 8-0 in the post-season sweeping the Leafs and Canadiens (scoring 24 goals and only allowing 5).
The Montreal Canadiens gave a glimpse of a dynasty in the mid 40’s winning in ’44 and ’46, then really took flight with Stanley Cups in ’53, ’56, ’57, ’58, ‘59’,and ’60. Montreal then took a break from winning while the Leafs won 3 Cups in the early 60’S. This Canadiens dynasty is highlighted by the ’55-’56 team that featured a power play that forced the NHL to change a rule. On Nov 5th1955 versus the Boston Bruins Jean Beliveau scored three goals in 44 seconds on the legendary Terry Sawchuk. It was because of that the NHL made a significant rule change that would see players only serve a portion of their penalty if a power play goal was scored rather than the full two minutes.
But then the Canadiens won Stanley Cups in ’65,’66, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’76, ’77. The most famous edition was that last one in 76-77, a team that had 9 eventual Hall of Famers and is most famous for their 132 point season (the best season ever). They were also the highest scoring team and the best defensive team and get this... Their mind boggling stat of +216 goals for differential is pure amazing.
The New York Islanders are considered the 3rd best team ever and won 4 Stanley Cups in the early 80’s (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83). This Hall of Fame collection was assembled by GM Bill Torrey, coached by Al Arbour, and led on the ice by Captain Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies and Billy Smith.
The Edmonton Oilers took the torch in the ‘83/’84 Cup Final by beating the Islanders and continued their success in ’85, ’87, ’88 and ’90. Their Dynasty is highlighted by the ’83-’84 team (which is considered the second best team ever) led by Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey and Fuhr. Then “the trade” happened and they went pretty much down-hill from there.
Detroit won 4 Stanley Cups and had 7 consecutive regular-season titles. Champs in ’50,’52, 54’, ’55. The team was assembled by “trader Jack” Jack Adams and coached by Tommy Ivan and was led on the ice by Howe, Lindsay, Abel, Delvecchio, Kelly and Sawchuk. Their ’51-’52 edition is considered the 5th best all-time team and is most famous for going 8-0 in the post-season sweeping the Leafs and Canadiens (scoring 24 goals and only allowing 5).
The Montreal Canadiens gave a glimpse of a dynasty in the mid 40’s winning in ’44 and ’46, then really took flight with Stanley Cups in ’53, ’56, ’57, ’58, ‘59’,and ’60. Montreal then took a break from winning while the Leafs won 3 Cups in the early 60’S. This Canadiens dynasty is highlighted by the ’55-’56 team that featured a power play that forced the NHL to change a rule. On Nov 5th1955 versus the Boston Bruins Jean Beliveau scored three goals in 44 seconds on the legendary Terry Sawchuk. It was because of that the NHL made a significant rule change that would see players only serve a portion of their penalty if a power play goal was scored rather than the full two minutes.
But then the Canadiens won Stanley Cups in ’65,’66, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’76, ’77. The most famous edition was that last one in 76-77, a team that had 9 eventual Hall of Famers and is most famous for their 132 point season (the best season ever). They were also the highest scoring team and the best defensive team and get this... Their mind boggling stat of +216 goals for differential is pure amazing.
The New York Islanders are considered the 3rd best team ever and won 4 Stanley Cups in the early 80’s (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83). This Hall of Fame collection was assembled by GM Bill Torrey, coached by Al Arbour, and led on the ice by Captain Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies and Billy Smith.
The Edmonton Oilers took the torch in the ‘83/’84 Cup Final by beating the Islanders and continued their success in ’85, ’87, ’88 and ’90. Their Dynasty is highlighted by the ’83-’84 team (which is considered the second best team ever) led by Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey and Fuhr. Then “the trade” happened and they went pretty much down-hill from there.
On and off the ice during the Original 6 Days
Off the ice in the NHLPA meetings, the NHL and NHLPA had their fair share of battles just as fierce as grinding it out along the boards versus Ted Lindsay and Gordie Howe. Hall of Famers were essential to competitive hockey each night of the season. Looking back at some of the rosters it’s really cool to see the
collection of talent these teams had. With fewer players on each roster (nine forwards, four defensemen and just one goalie), and just six teams it was
obviously much easier to follow than today. The three most successful teams - Montreal, Toronto and Detroit - were also the first to have a farm team. In
’Hockey’s Greatest Era’ of 1942-1967 one of those three teams won the coveted Stanley Cup every single year except once in 1961, which was won by Chicago. The bottom feeders were often regarded as glorified player warehouses. Those three teams did have a few all-stars but certainly weren't stacked quite like the
Canadiens, Maple Leafs or Red Wings. Thanks to the geniuses that ran those teams Tommy Gorman/Sam Pollock, Conn Smythe and Jack Adams, etc. those teams were built into dynasties. Not only was there complete dominance by those three teams but also there were true rivalries that are still written about today. Those
stories of Hall of Famers captivate the interest of so many hockey fans today.
Unfortunately with all that good fuzziness of hockey history, there’s a whole lot of legal jargon, unjust contract business, hatred between owners and also between the players themselves. That’s bound to happen when you face fierce rivals each and every night. Somehow players got wind of the salaries of their peers and how much coin the owners were raking in. Everyone wants a bigger piece of the pie and want what they deserve. One of hockey’s ambassadors- Gordie Howe unfortunately was so unselfish in his day he was grossly underpaid in comparison to others. Negotiating his own standard player contract, you think would have been
rewarding but no, he never took advantage of it because he was not presented with any sort of numbers by management. I’d call that deception. Once the
players overcame their timidity, indecision and lack of solidarity they demanded more. It took many meetings and plenty of brainstorming, but eventually they got
it.
They realized they lost approximately $100,000,000 in pension benefits, salaries, medical benefits, endorsements and missed business opportunities. They figured
if they pressed this on the owners, they’d ruin the game. The players were always told that the owners could not afford to pay them higher salaries. Perhaps, they can blame each other for not sticking together; perhaps they can blame themselves for not being more vocal. But I’m sure much of the blame is towards Alan Eagleson, the man who negotiated their seemingly good deal. It was all tied into their pension plan. This good deal was anything but good. They were shafted big time. Expected to get more of the surplus from International competitions and all-star games, they were extremely disappointed. Ken Sawyer from the NHL pension society penned the bad news that it was not their money, but instead it was for administration costs. I wonder if they would have participated in all these games of international competition if they had known this. The most famous International competition was the 1972 Summit Series between the Soviets and Canada. With the calibre of each team’s roster fans flocked to see these teams play. Team Canada had fifteen Hall of Fame players alone! The revenue from this calibre of competition is massive! The players were once again screwed not getting enough, not even 20% of the action.
I'm sure Jim Norris has had many negative descriptions thrown at him over the years. Most of them I’m sure are fair. They are that he was an arrogant boisterous
aggressive man. Extremely intelligent with all his business matters, he truly was passionate about business and turning his pennies into dollars. Not caring
enough about the actual teams was unfortunate and resulted in a crappy product. He focused on the quantity of events, not the quality of his NHL team, the
Chicago Blackhawks. He was so aggressive he had the opportunity to purchase the Yankees, but eventually chose to stick with his Blackhawks. Based on today’s
value of the teams, a bad choice. But his other ventures earned him a fortune that turned him into a business mogul, and perhaps a celebrity.
collection of talent these teams had. With fewer players on each roster (nine forwards, four defensemen and just one goalie), and just six teams it was
obviously much easier to follow than today. The three most successful teams - Montreal, Toronto and Detroit - were also the first to have a farm team. In
’Hockey’s Greatest Era’ of 1942-1967 one of those three teams won the coveted Stanley Cup every single year except once in 1961, which was won by Chicago. The bottom feeders were often regarded as glorified player warehouses. Those three teams did have a few all-stars but certainly weren't stacked quite like the
Canadiens, Maple Leafs or Red Wings. Thanks to the geniuses that ran those teams Tommy Gorman/Sam Pollock, Conn Smythe and Jack Adams, etc. those teams were built into dynasties. Not only was there complete dominance by those three teams but also there were true rivalries that are still written about today. Those
stories of Hall of Famers captivate the interest of so many hockey fans today.
Unfortunately with all that good fuzziness of hockey history, there’s a whole lot of legal jargon, unjust contract business, hatred between owners and also between the players themselves. That’s bound to happen when you face fierce rivals each and every night. Somehow players got wind of the salaries of their peers and how much coin the owners were raking in. Everyone wants a bigger piece of the pie and want what they deserve. One of hockey’s ambassadors- Gordie Howe unfortunately was so unselfish in his day he was grossly underpaid in comparison to others. Negotiating his own standard player contract, you think would have been
rewarding but no, he never took advantage of it because he was not presented with any sort of numbers by management. I’d call that deception. Once the
players overcame their timidity, indecision and lack of solidarity they demanded more. It took many meetings and plenty of brainstorming, but eventually they got
it.
They realized they lost approximately $100,000,000 in pension benefits, salaries, medical benefits, endorsements and missed business opportunities. They figured
if they pressed this on the owners, they’d ruin the game. The players were always told that the owners could not afford to pay them higher salaries. Perhaps, they can blame each other for not sticking together; perhaps they can blame themselves for not being more vocal. But I’m sure much of the blame is towards Alan Eagleson, the man who negotiated their seemingly good deal. It was all tied into their pension plan. This good deal was anything but good. They were shafted big time. Expected to get more of the surplus from International competitions and all-star games, they were extremely disappointed. Ken Sawyer from the NHL pension society penned the bad news that it was not their money, but instead it was for administration costs. I wonder if they would have participated in all these games of international competition if they had known this. The most famous International competition was the 1972 Summit Series between the Soviets and Canada. With the calibre of each team’s roster fans flocked to see these teams play. Team Canada had fifteen Hall of Fame players alone! The revenue from this calibre of competition is massive! The players were once again screwed not getting enough, not even 20% of the action.
I'm sure Jim Norris has had many negative descriptions thrown at him over the years. Most of them I’m sure are fair. They are that he was an arrogant boisterous
aggressive man. Extremely intelligent with all his business matters, he truly was passionate about business and turning his pennies into dollars. Not caring
enough about the actual teams was unfortunate and resulted in a crappy product. He focused on the quantity of events, not the quality of his NHL team, the
Chicago Blackhawks. He was so aggressive he had the opportunity to purchase the Yankees, but eventually chose to stick with his Blackhawks. Based on today’s
value of the teams, a bad choice. But his other ventures earned him a fortune that turned him into a business mogul, and perhaps a celebrity.