Focus

by Derek Zona on Jun 15, 2009 1:03 PM MDT

"We are a family and in this together. We don't need anyone that is only with us WIN or TIE. I really think this is our year. Let's forget about tonight ... It happens. We will win Tuesday and win the Cup Friday."
--Mario Lemieux, in a text message to Ray Shero, after the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 5-0 in game five.

"This is a chance of a lifetime to realize your childhood dream to win a Stanley Cup. Play without fear and you will be successful! See you at center ice."
--Mario Lemieux, in a text message to to every member of the Pittsburgh Penguins the morning of game seven in Detroit.

"MacT isn't going anywhere."
--Daryl Katz, April 2nd, to the host of the Oiler's pregame radio show.

Consider the following: two hockey teams mired in the middle of an abysmal season, both spending close to the cap, both with enormous pre-season expectations. Both with larger-than-life owners blessed with rabid fan bases. Both owners had to withstand daily calls for the coach to be run out of town on a rail. The first owner igonred the media and focused on his franchise. That owner told his general manager that he was free to do what was necessary to get his team into the playoffs. The second owner listened to local radio call-in shows and felt compelled to respond to the fanbase via a text message to the host of the show. He defended his coach and the coach stayed on.

The first owner used text messages to calm a shaky young team and later light a fire under that team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The second owner went back on his word and fired the coach after his team missed the playoffs. The first owner's team throttled a Roman Legion to bring him a Stanley Cup. The second owner's team spent the last half of the season bickering with their coach and each other.

It may be that the gulf between veteran owner and rookie owner is as vast as the gulf between a playoff veteran player and a rookie in the NHL. It should be a lesson to the second owner to focus on the things that matter.

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Comments

I'm sure he made mistakes building his 2.4 billion dollar business too...

by Sean on Jun 15, 2009 2:32 PM MDT reply actions

Apples and Oranges, my friend, and I'm sure you're aware of that but wanted a chance to use some snark.

The road to championships is built with the dead franchises of men who were extremely successful businessmen. Daniel Synder, Charles Wang, The Maloofs, Mark Cuban, Jerry Moyes, Robert Nuttig...just a few examples of men worth well north of nine figures made through business exploits that can't figure out the business of sports.

by Coach pb9617 on Jun 15, 2009 2:57 PM MDT reply actions

Apples and Oranges you say? How about apples and apples then.

The first owner had Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and Stall. The second owner had Horcoff, Hemsky, Rolie and Gagner.

by Ssseth on Jun 15, 2009 3:23 PM MDT reply actions

PS - that image is burning a hole in my brain

by Ssseth on Jun 15, 2009 3:23 PM MDT reply actions

The first owner had Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and Stall. The second owner had Horcoff, Hemsky, Rolie and Gagner.

It has nothing to do with the team or the end result of the team, really. I don't care that the Pens won the cup and the Oilers didn't in looking at this. The end results just magnify the differences in approach that both men took. One man was focused on his team and getting them to where they needed to be. Even if they lost in the first round of the playoffs, his approach was the correct one. He didn't feel the need to try and control an uncontrollable situation. The other was worried about what Bob Blabbermouth and Joe Sixpack were yammering on about on the radio.

PS - that image is burning a hole in my brain.

That's what I was going for :)

by Coach pb9617 on Jun 15, 2009 3:34 PM MDT reply actions

I've liked Katz as an owner - text message or not. He seems passionate and willing to spend to surround himself with a good staff (ie Tambellini, Quinn, Renney).

There really wasn't much difference between Mario and Wayne up until 2 years ago. Both were ex-players turned owners whose teams bled money. Just Mario's team was a bit worse and in the case of Sidney Crosby, lucky. I'm not here to compare Mario to Wayne but when your winning, everything you do turns gold. Even your text messages are praised.

by Sean on Jun 15, 2009 4:37 PM MDT reply actions

I'm not here to compare Mario to Wayne but when your winning, everything you do turns gold. Even your text messages are praised.

Now you're being obtuse. You honestly don't see a conceptual difference between the two?

by Coach pb9617 on Jun 16, 2009 7:50 AM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	52	32	15	5	69
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	52	25	19	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	53	24	22	7	55
Colorado Mile High Hockey	54	26	25	3	55
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	53	21	27	5	47

(updated 2.7.2012 at 7:26 AM MST)

21 - 27 - 5

Streak: Lost 1

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	5:30 PM MST
@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Mon 02/06	L 3 - 6
Detroit Winging It In Motown	Sat 02/04	SO - W 5 - 4
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@ Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Tue 01/24	SO - L 2 - 3