The question really isn’t, “do the Calgary Flames want Brendan Shanahan as their president of hockey operations?”
The greater question is, "does Shanahan want the Flames?"
What I’m saying is get it done.
That’s not as much a ringing endorsement of Shanahan, as much as recognition that the Flames need a change.
The sighting of Shanahan in Calgary on Friday confirmed Hockey Central insider John Shannon’s suggestion that the NHL’s chief player disciplinarian was in the mix.
Former Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk was also rumoured, but I’ve since found out Nieuwendyk was never contacted.
It’s also been rumoured for months that Calgary CEO Ken King will oversee the Flames’ sporting empire, which includes the CFL, NLL, WHL and the Flames. If that’s the case, there would be a need to have someone else focusing solely on the NHL team, which needs to vastly improve.
King is tough, demanding and, some Flames staffers have suggested, very controlling. He’s also very savvy in displaying his public image. Yet, he has done what the owners have paid him to do; make the Flames financially strong. On the ice and in hockey operations, however, Calgary is a work in progress.
In the assessment of some, it’s much worse than that. King’s business ability speaks for itself. However, this is NHL hockey and an infusion of knowledge and contacts couldn’t hurt.
So, with that in mind, what of Brendan Shanahan?
Obviously, he is up to date with today’s NHL. According to people close to Shanahan, he has a strong desire to be in team management. He’s also close to the Flames’ most prominent owner, Murray Edwards.
It would seem to be a good fit. Would it make general manager Jay Feaster and head coach Bob Hartley a little uncomfortable? You bet.
Perhaps no one in the entire Flames organization should be comfortable given the team’s recent history. Feaster will do his job until he’s told not to. Regardless of what you believe of Calgary’s general manager, he’s a professional.
Maybe, just maybe, Jay Feaster and Brendan Shanahan would be a great team.
But (and it’s a BIG but) does Shanahan want to move to Calgary and take this job? It’s my greatest question and perhaps the answer will come when the Stanley Cup final comes to a close.