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Let me count the hands…
All of those who thought the Edmonton Oilers would make their biggest and best off-season move in early August, please raise yours.
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Be honest, now. You in the back…really? Really? Yeah, right.
Here, then, is a perspective of the hiring of Jeff Jackson as the new Oilers CEO, and an assessment of just how transformative it could be for both the team, the city, and even for the National Hockey League.
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That and more in this edition of…
9 Things
9. Keep an eye on the Oilers toward the end of August. Some useful players are still available out there that could fill an organizational role between Bakersfield and a 13F spot in Edmonton. I would anticipate several PTO’s, particularly at Center. Two names that catch my eye: Oft injured RHS Nolan Patrick (50+% faceoff man) and veteran RHS Colin White.
8. Those who read “9 Things” regularly will know that I have said repeatedly in this space that Ryan McLeod “would get done” and in the $2m range. I also said that the player and club were close to a deal, which they obviously were. McLeod is an important player for the Oilers going forward. That he took a little less than arbitration may have offered speaks to his commitment to win.
7. I have also written that the Oilers and Evan Bouchard were “close”, which Jeff Jackson alluded to during a press conference earlier this week. I expect that it will come in the range of a 2-year bridge, around $3.9m. It is notable that Wasserman’s Dave Gagner took over the Bouchard file from Jackson some time ago. One assumes that Jackson was happy about that, not only because Gagner is an excellent man, but it also avoids any appearance of conflict of interest now.
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6. Paul Coffey. That the Oilers legend had a role in recruiting Jeff Jackson is hardly news, that has already been mentioned publicly. It would not surprise me if Paul Coffey was in fact a direct bridge, a conduit between Jackson and Katz from exploratory stage, through negotiations and right up to the hiring. I also think that if anyone would have an appreciation of a young D-man with Evan Bouchard’s particular skill set going forward it would be Paul Coffey.
5. Brad Holland. May stand to benefit the most from the Jackson hiring. Holland has been an internal champion within the organization when it comes to the use of analytics. He may well “speak the same language” as Jackson in this area, creating an even bigger opportunity for Holland down the road. The two also have a legal background in common. After all, it will be Jeff Jackson’s decision who to hire as G.M. once Ken Holland is “done”. Speaking of which…
4. Ken Holland came along just when the Oilers needed someone like him the most. Holland has provided stability and a sound reputation among all of the other General Managers in the NHL. It was instant credibility for an organization that was, quite frankly, needed desperately at the time. Holland never claimed that every move he made would work. But the team’s record since Ken’s arrival speaks for itself. Given all that he still brings, you could hardly imagine a better person to be in the G.M.’s chair as Jackson cuts his teeth as CEO. Much better than having relative rookies in both seats.
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3. It is my belief that Bob Nicholson had already moved into a part-time role with the club prior to this move. There is lot of criticism of Nicholson in the Edmonton marketplace. I am not sure how well informed most of that is, particularly on matters where Nicholson was not even around for. If nothing else, Bob deserves substantial credit for recruiting Ken Holland as General Manager. The team has been in the post-season ever since and has managed to retain its best players over that stretch. It became a winning organization again under Nicholson’s watch. I have some reservations with Mr. Nicholson, too. But to sell him short would be equally unfair.
2. Jeff Jackson. A stunningly brilliant hire as the new CEO. A master stroke for the long-term health and prosperity of the franchise. There is a long list of attributes that Jackson brings to the position. As a man also involved in film as Mr. Katz is, the logic of the hiring flows like a good movie script: Jackson is a former player. Is a lawyer. Has experience in the front office of a Canadian franchise (unique pressure). Thinks on the leading edge when it comes to analytics, drafting and player development. One of the top agents in the business. Also, a top-flight negotiator. Sure, Jackson made it clear he would not be negotiating contracts. But if you think Jackson’s background, history, and intimate knowledge of the agency side of these negotiations would not play a critical role going forward, I have some swamp land to sell you for a sweet price. However, I would argue that for all of Jackson’s abilities, his single greatest value is how uniquely positioned he is to handle the Oilers most precious of resources, and the least replaceable of all its parts: Now former-client Connor McDavid. If Jackson can indeed make Connor an “Oiler for Life”, a lot of other players and pieces will fall much more easily into place. Because who doesn’t want to be with the best? The Oilers now have a CEO candidate that ticked all those boxes…which other NHL executive has such a varied CV? I cannot think of one.
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1.But while Jeff Jackson was indeed this week’s headline, the longer-term story here is even more compelling. The decision made on the new CEO has the potential to be sweepingly transformative, not just for the Oilers organization but also Edmonton’s standing among franchises in the National Hockey League. It looks to me as an outside observer that Daryl Katz absolutely did not want a recycled candidate. That ‘old way’ is a phenomenon the league is all too infamous for, with its executive class and its coaching ranks seemingly reconstituted ad-nauseum. Instead, Mr. Katz seemingly challenged the people within his organization to think outside the box. How refreshing.
What I like the most about the hiring is how it avoids the creeping phenomena of “Group Think”. I would suggest that this has been one of the factors limiting hockey to 2nd citizen status among the other major sports, behind the NFL, NBA, and MLB. “Group Think” is sometimes referred to as “Old Boys Club” thinking, which is indeed partly true. But it is in reality so much more dangerous. Because in business, “Group Think” tends to encourage and reward insidious things like rationalization, fear of dissent and the pressure to agree. All that stuff tends to slowly rots away at companies, rather than rebuilding and revitalizing them.
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Truly modern, progressive organizations foster critical thinking and individual analysis. Those things in turn nurture alternative paths, creative thought, and the debating of unpopular opinions which at the end of the day may turn out to be the correct opinions…if only they could get enough oxygen to emerge and grow. The Jackson hiring reminds me of going “off the board” at the draft. Swim against the current.
How ironic is it that in the modern era of the NHL, one of the league’s northern-most outposts could be poised to again become one of its premiere organizations. The Oilers stand to become a Top-5 franchise over the next decade. And all because the man at the top of the pyramid was willing to have vision, creativity, and innovation.
Daryl Katz will always have his detractors. But consider the record: Mr. Katz has consolidated a team from a cobbled together ownership model. He gave the club all the resources it needed. Kept the best players. Built a world-class arena. Put a crumbling downtown core on the comeback trail.
And now, he has taken an innovative leap that has the potential to modernize not just the organization but (if it works out) transform the entire league conducts its business. Because if this unique example of recruiting pays off, you can bet that other organizations will be quick to try it, too.
Now on Threads @kleavins. Also, find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social
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