Insiders say former Blackhawks manager Stan Bowman’s suspension has been lifted while he competes for the Edmonton Oilers job

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This comes from Frank Seravalli, NHL insider at Daily Faceoff: The Edmonton Oilers will look to former Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman for the team’s vacant GM position following the departure of Ken Holland.

Seravall said: “Bowman will be a top candidate for the vacant Oilers GM position. I believe he was on Edmonton’s radar when Jeff Jackson was hired last summer, even though he was not yet eligible to play at the time.”

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And EJ Hradek of NHL.com reported: “Bowman is expected to end up in Edmonton. (London Knights manager) Mark Hunter could also play a key management role there. Time will tell.”

Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reports: “Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said he was so busy with free agency today that he hadn’t thought about Stan Bowman regarding the team’s vacant GM position.”

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

The NHL on Monday lifted its suspension of longtime coach Joel Quenneville and executives Bowman and Al MacIsaac, the Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno reported, clearing the way for their return to the league more than two years after they were punished in the wake of the Chicago Blackhawks sex scandal. Quenneville resigned as coach of the Florida Panthers. Bowman, Chicago’s general manager and president of hockey operations, resigned, as did the team’s top executive, MacIsaac. The NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million. Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville will be eligible to sign contracts with an NHL team after July 10.

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The NHL stated in a press release: “For more than two and a half years, these individuals have been barred from working for any NHL team because they failed to respond appropriately in 2010 when informed of allegations that Blackhawks player Kyle Beach was assaulted by the club’s video coach. While it is clear that their reactions at the time were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has recognized this and used their time away from the game to pursue activities that demonstrate not only sincere remorse for what happened, but also a greater awareness of the responsibility of all NHL employees, particularly those in leadership positions. In addition, each of them has made significant progress in personal development by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the need to respond effectively and meaningfully to alleged acts of abuse.”

My opinion

1. I’m not the type to rush to judgment on complex issues. I won’t make a judgment on this until I’ve looked into it more deeply. For example, I’d like to know what Beach himself thinks about this trial. Does he think justice was done?

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This is the first time I’ve heard of any interest from Edmonton in Bowman. The Oilers organization needs to consider the fan reaction before making any moves here. There was a lot of backlash on social media against the idea of ​​bringing in Bowman. A lot of people were outraged.

Many people, myself included, don’t mind those who made mistakes – even big ones – getting a second chance, but they need to know more details. Here is the 107 report from the Chicago law firm Jenner and Block, which investigated the incident. It’s required reading for any credible view of the matter. I’m diving into it now.

And I wonder again what, if anything, Beach has to say. He is certainly under no obligation to say a word.

At the cult of hockey

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