With NHL Awards season near, our writers make a case for each of the GM of the Year candidates. Which general manager is most deserving of the hardware?
Marc Bergevin, Montreal Canadiens
In Bergevin’s first year on the job the Canadiens finished the shortened regular season with two fewer wins than they had all of last year and jumped from 28th to fourth in the standings.
Bergevin should win general manager of the year based on that turnaround alone, if not for finally ridding the team of Scott (Did He Score) Gomez and his cumbersome contract.
In all seriousness, it’s hard to find flaws in Bergevin’s track record after one year on the job.
He inked Norris Trophy candidate P.K. Subban to a bargain-basement two-year, $5.75-million deal after a lengthy standoff and locked up Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais to cap-friendly extensions.
Bergevin also took a cautious approach in free agency and didn’t burden himself with any big-money signings, bringing in depth players Brandon Prust, Francois Bouillon and adding Colby Armstrong off waivers.
At the trade deadline, Bergevin hit a home run with the Michael Ryder-for-Erik Cole trade.
On top of the on-ice product, Bergevin made an impact at the front-office level by hiring experienced head coach Michel Therrien and snagging well-regarded hockey mind Rick Dudley from the Maple Leafs to serve as assistant GM.
While much of the good the Habs accomplished in the regular season came crashing down in an ugly first-round loss to the Ottawa Senators, it’s hard not to be impressed by the turnaround in Montreal under the tutelage of their smooth, first-year general manager.
Bergevin in a walk. – Mackenzie Liddell
Bob Murray, Anaheim Ducks
At the start of the shortened 2013 NHL season, the Ducks were thought to be a team that would contend for a playoff spot, but they exceeded all expectations after finishing with a 30-12-6 record, a Pacific Division title and 66 points (third most in the NHL).
Even though the Ducks were eliminated in the first round by the underdog Detroit Red Wings, GM Bob Murray deserves a large chunk of the credit for a successful season.
Several of his off-season acquisitions played key roles in the team’s success. Murray added Sheldon Souray and Bryan Allen, who were brought on as unrestricted free agent signings and had solid seasons on the back end. Murray also added Daniel Winnik, who had arguably his best year as a pro, and re-signed the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne, to a one-year deal.
Perhaps most importantly, Murray locked up his two franchise players — pending UFAs Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry — to long-term contracts. He re-signed captain Getzlaf to an eight-year, $66 million deal and inked former Hart Memorial Trophy winner Perry to a similar eight-year, $69 million contract. – Mike Johnston
Ray Shero, Pittsburgh Penguins
When one considers Pittsburgh’s array of talent, it’s easy to dismiss Ray Shero’s candidacy for GM of the Year.
However, Shero found a way to fortify the Penguins’ impressive roster by acquiring Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Jussi Jokinen and Douglas Murray before the trade deadline.
After winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, the Penguins certainly weren’t bereft of leadership. However, by attaining Morrow and Iginla, Shero picked up two players who had been longtime captains for their previous organizations.
In doing so, Shero strengthened the aura of the Penguins, namely that on paper they seem almost unbeatable after making a number of savvy moves.
“Obviously, expectations are high here and you want to win,” defenceman Paul Martin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Some of the moves he made at the deadline (reflect) that that’s what’s going on. I think they were great moves. Obviously, they’ve been big helping us down the stretch.”
Shero attacked a seller’s market before the trade deadline, and by making shrewd, calculated moves to improve his team, Pittsburgh sent off a proverbial warning shot to its competitors.
While some may argue that the GM of the Year award should go to someone who had considerably less talent with which to work, Shero deserves the award for strengthening the Penguins juggernaut. – Arun Srinivasan
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