Linden, Burke on POH role and GMs

Trevor Linden was introduced by the Canucks as the president of hockey operations in Vancouver on Wednesday morning. The role has become increasingly prevalent in the sports world and we've steadily started seeing more and more NHL franchises choosing this path as well.

How does the POH mesh with general manager responsibilities though, specifically with player personnel?

Both Linden and Brian Burke, who was named to the POH role by the Calgary Flames in the fall, are searching for a new GM and understanding the structure will be critical for all of the people involved.

"I do think it is a model," began Linden, "that a lot of sports franchises have moved to, whether it be in hockey or football or what have you, or basketball. I think it adds another layer... with the hockey IQ, I guess, and that's so important, because ultimately the success of your franchise is dependent on the product on the ice, so if you can surround yourself with people that have that and can make those decisions and make good decisions it's going to make your product a lot better."

Burke, in December, offered this POH tidbit as it specifically relates to the GM.

“The thinking is — and this exists in a number of franchises in football, baseball, basketball, and now forward in the NHL — you’ve got someone there to steer the ship and mentor a young GM. First off, you avoid the big mistakes that young GMs typically make. And second, you don’t have to have an organizational shift, a major reorientation every time you bring in a new GM. You have someone steering the ship even if someone else is in command on a day-to-day basis.”

Ownership can often be a critical wrinkle in any sort of such structure, which was addressed at Wednesday's press conference by both Francesco Aquilini and Linden.

"Trevor will make all the decisions on hockey-related personnel," Aquilini said. "Coaches, players, free agents, whatever. Trevor will be in charge of hockey operations and make all of the decisions."

"I think I've had great conversations with Francesco and with his family," noted Linden, 
"and they've given me full control to make the right decisions and full autonomy. Obviously in any sports organization situation a good working relationship with ownership is important. I intend to spend a lot of time working with them and having them fully understand the decisions we make and why, but ultimately, I'm very comfortable with the autonomy that I have."