Former Blackhawks exec Stan Bowman’s suspension lifted, in running for Edmonton Oilers job, insiders say

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This in from the Daily Faceoff’s NHL insider Frank Seravalli, news that the Edmonton Oilers will look at former Chicago Blackhawk GM Stan Bowman for the team’s vacant GM job now that Ken Holland has left.

Seravall said, “Bowman will become a top candidate for Oilers GM vacancy. Believe he was on Edmonton’s radar when Jeff Jackson was hired last summer though still ineligible then.”

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And E.J. Hradek of NHL.com reported, “Expect Bowman to land in Edmonton. (London Knights exec) Mark Hunter might have a significant management role there as well. Time will tell.”

Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reports, “Oilers CEO of hockey ops Jeff Jackson said he’s been so busy with free agency today that he hasn’t thought about Stan Bowman as it pertains to the team’s GM vacancy.”

Bowman was suspended by the NHL for his role in the handling of the Kyle Beach case during Chicago’s Stanley Cup run in 2010

The NHL has now lifted its ban on long-time coach Joel Quenneville and executives Bowman and Al MacIsaac on Monday, reported the Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press, clearing the way for their return to the league more than two years after they were punished in the fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal.Quenneville resigned from his job as coach of the Florida Panthers. Bowman, Chicago’s general manager and hockey operations president, left his job as did top team executive MacIsaac. The NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million. Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville can sign contracts with an NHL team after July 10.

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The NHL said in a release: “For more than the last two and a half years, these individuals have been ineligible to work for any NHL team as a result of their inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Blackhawks’ player Kyle Beach had been assaulted by the club’s video coach. While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and has used his time away fro the game to engage in activities which not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened, but also evidence greater awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly personnel who are in positions of leadership. Moreover, each has made significant strides in personal improvement by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse.”

My take

1. I’m not one for snap judgements on complex issues. I’m not making any judgement on this until I dig in more into the matter. For example, I’d like to know what Beach himself thinks about this process. Does he think justice has been done?

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This is the first I’ve heard of any interest from Edmonton into Bowman. The Oilers organization will have to consider fan reaction before making any move here. There was a strong backlash on social media against the idea of bringing in Bowman. Many folks were outraged.

Many people, including me, aren’t against those who have made mistakes — even major ones — getting second chances, but they’ll need to know more details. Here is the 107 report from the Chicago law firm Jenner and Block that investigated the incident, required reading for any credible take on the matter. I’m digging into it now.

And, again, I wonder what Beach has to say, if anything. There’s certainly no onus on him to say a word.

At the Cult of Hockey

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