Leadership & the NHL Trade Deadline

A few thoughts about leadership in light of yesterday's NHL trade deadline.

1) Emotions do play a part in tough leadership decisions - and that's good. Esp thinking about Kevin Lowe dealing Ryan Smyth to the Islanders, it was a very tough decision and I'm glad the Oilers GM was honest about that. Though I don't listen to Edm radio stations, apparently there was a great deal of angst that the Oilers wouldn't cough up the extra $$$ to simply sign Smyth. And Smyth is and always has been a classy guy - as even further evidenced by his decision not to comment on the trade when the day was one to celebrate Mark Messier. And even as a Flames fan, I kinda hope the Oilers can re-sign Smyth after July 1 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA) - unless of course the Flames could sign him!!!

2) Good leadership makes the tough decisions - Although it was a very emotional and difficult decision, Oilers GM Kevin Lowe made the tough decision (I believe an excellent trade) for the good of the organization for the long term. He knew he would/will get criticized by fans, the media, etc and is/was willing to live through it - and still made the tough decision for the good of the organization. Making the tough decision may not be popular but it is still the leader's responsibility. Of course, if its the wrong decision, the leader also has to take the heat and/or admit the error.

3) Be shrewd - more than a few hockey pundits, esp the good friends on TSN and Sportsnet, where debating the rightness of the St Louis Blues actions in the past week, believing that they traded Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk to other teams and yet already have plans in place to sign them back on July 1 when they become UFAs. And if that is true, then full marks to John Davidson the Blues GM for being so shrewd. All of his actions are above board, and won't be a surprise to anyone. And if the rules/system allows such actions, then use it wisely. The Blues desperately need to be re-built and so if Davidson is doing it shrewdly, using his assets to gain future assets and then will be able to re-acquire the recently departed assets, then more power to him. That's simply shrewd leadership.

Please understand that this does not mean "fudging" the rules or even applying the rule-of-law, and totally ignoring the spirit of the law. If Davidson truly pulls this off come July 1, it will be all above board with everyone aware of the possibilities.