GM--Neil Smith
Head Coach--Ted Nolan
Special Consultant--Pat LaFontaine

Too bad that there's not a Leftfield in hockey because that's where this decision seems to have come out of. Color me shocked to the nth power. Given this late date, I really thought they were holding out for Laviolette. But, I guess once the 'Canes owner said that he would match any deal--and it looked like a fait accompli that Lavy would be winning the Cup--then it was time to make a choice before the Draft got here.

I heard Ted Nolan on the 'FAN last year with Steve Somers, and he specifically addressed the "Hasek Affair" rumors head on. I was extremely impressed by that. As for Neil Smith, I was impressed that he held onto the kids when it was clear that he was a lame duck GM with the Rangers and could have moved them for veterans just to save his job with a respectable finish.

While LaFontaine and Trottier were phenomenal players, I don't know what to make of their business acumen.

Since it's official, props to Brad Shaw, who I think did a marvelous job this past season.

Are they still going to call it "The LaFontaine Cup?"