Blackhawks Bring In Bowman

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Aug 1, 10:38 AM | Hype this story!

Few names in hockey hold as much clout as “Scotty Bowman.”

He’s coached in more games and won more games than any coach in NHL history. And he’s served his a high-ranking official on more than one Stanley Cup Championship team.

But now the legend is heading to Chicago, where the task of winning is just that, a task.

After serving as a consultant to the Detroit Red Wings since his final year coaching in 2002 — when he won his ninth Stanley Cup — Bowman has moved on, joining his son Stan in Chicago, where he will serve as senior advisor of hockey operations.

“It’s certainly an exciting day for me and for the family,” Scotty Bowman said to TSN. “Being in Detroit for 15 years, I got to know Gordie Howe. He often talked about… how he felt the most exciting time of his career was when he got to play with his sons. I wanted to work with my son Stan. it’s a dream everyone has and it doesn’t happen very often.”

The Blackhawks, rich with young talent, are coming off an 88-point season, which saw them finish 10th in the Eastern Conference, just three points shy of a playoff berth.

Clearly, the storied franchise is on an upswing that could land them in the same class as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens with regard to young talent.

Yet Bowman knows there is plenty of work to be done.

“I’m really looking forward to getting this thing to where it should be.”

According to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, don’t expect Bowman’s role to be as understated as his title might indicate.

Campbell writes: “...Bowman didn’t leave a great situation with the Detroit Red Wings to just sit back and be a consultant in Chicago.

“In fact, there are those who maintain Bowman’s hiring is simply greasing the skids for him to take a much more prominent role in the organization, with either GM Dale Tallon or coach Denis Savard, or possibly both, being replaced before long.”

Could this be the first step in pushing the 75-year-old Bowman back into the spotlight as a head coach or general manager?

Only time will tell.

One thing is for certain, though: the addition of Bowman instantly adds even more credibility to a team that has earned quite a bit in the past year.

Comments

  1. Pens1967

    Aug 1, 11:19 AM

    I said this on another thread, but I think Bowman’s loss is as big, if not bigger, a blow to Detroit and Hossa’s signing was a gain. I will always believe it was Bowman’s scouting and strategy gleaned from scouting the Pens that won the Cup for Detroit. Bowman knows the Wings inside and out. This is a major coup for the Hawks, IMHO.

  2. Dabich

    Aug 3, 09:27 PM

    I’m with you on that one Pens. The Wings will find it nearly impossible to replace Soctty.

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