Detroit Hockey Now’s Max Smith plays “two truths and a lie” this morning, and I agree wholeheartedly with his second “truth”–a suggestion that the Red Wings’ total and complete radio silence about their GM search has damaged the organization’s perception:
Truth: Red Wings’ silence has only hurt their perception
While it was typical for there to be a certain lack of communication while the team was still under Yzerman. Part of the reason that was tolerated was because of his longstanding reputation with the team and the city’s media. Yzerman was a man of few words when he was captain of the team, and he continued that tradition as GM of the franchise.
That silence wore on fans’ patience and was no doubt part of the mixed reaction to his unceremonious exit.
Now, the team has gone nearly two months without finding a new GM and they haven’t been very communicative with the search process. That’s led to an ample breeding ground for rumor mill churn and misinformation as aggregators pick up old information for new engagement.
Communicating about who they’ve interviewed, or at least where they are at in the process would do a lot to help restore confidence in team ownership.
Continued; Yzerman’s regime simply held its secrets and opinions alike very close to the vest, which is a difficult road to go in an era of better media relations by NHL Teams…
But continuing the strategy of not talking unless something happens is just not a smart option. It’s September, and the public that pays a whole lot of money to both watch the team in person and watch the team on TV/online are getting restless and worried about the product that will be on the ice later this month…
But nobody knows what’s going on with the front office. Even an, “We continue to evaluate candidates for our GM’s position” from the team would pave the road to forgiveness for radio silence, and we haven’t heard that much yet. That’s a bit dangerous as far as I’m concerned.
