Penguins Must Avoid Stan Bowman in Front Office Search
While many names will be looked at in the search for Pittsburgh Penguins general manager, Stan Bowman shouldn't be on the list.
Ever since the start of the offseason, all eyes have been locked on Fenway Sports Group (FSG) as they search for new staff members to fill the Pittsburgh Penguins front office.
FSG stepped in the day following the Penguins’ final regular season game and fired general manager Ron Hextall, as well as president of hockey operations Brian Burke and assistant general manager Chris Pryor.
Ever since the announcement of the firings, names of possible replacements have been flying around and getting the attention of fans.
One new name has come across the dial and it’s one that needs to be avoided at all costs.
Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest tweeted that there could be mutual interest between the Penguins and former Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman.
Strickland noted that there is a lot of history between the Bowman family and the Penguins; Stan’s father, Scotty, was the head coach of the 1991-92 Stanley Cup team.
This isn’t a new notion, Elliotte Friedman brought up Bowman’s name on the 32 Thoughts Podcast and cited the relationship between the Bowman and Mike Sullivan.
Before joining the Penguins organization, Sullivan worked in player personnel with the Blackhawks under Bowman.
In 2022, Bowman was also the GM of United States Hockey Olympic Team; had NHL players gone to the games, Sullivan was set to be Team USA’s head coach, named by Bowman.
Without even looking into Bowman’s work in an NHL front office, there is a huge red flag that should keep FSG away from him at all costs.
Bowman is one of the main people who failed to report sexual assault allegations within the Blackhawks 2011 Cup team.
Due to Bowman’s, and other members of the Blackhawks staff, lack of reporting, further assaults and abuses were carried out by the perpetrator.
During the investigation in 2021, Bowman stepped away from the Blackhawks and was later blacklisted by the NHL.
While the NHL never ‘suspended’ Bowman, a team would have to get the league’s approval before an interview process can even begin.
For a team looking for a fresh start in the front office, Bowman would be the worst possible choice.
Again, that’s not even getting into how he drove the Blackhawks dynasty into the ground following their third Stanley Cup in six years.
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