Bowman's Conflicting Review
Oilers GM Stan Bowman Gets Failing Grade From Commentator, But Fans Award Him a B
NHL commentator Mike Bartner has given Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman a failing grade, calling his first 18 months on the job "brutal with easily avoidable moves," according to Ottawa Citizen. Bartner argued that Bowman's decisions have put the Oilers at risk of wasting Connor McDavid's championship window.
Despite the harsh verdict from Bartner, most Oilers fans disagree. A social media poll gave Bowman a grade of B, with the majority saying he is doing a good job, according to Cold Lake Sun.
Bartner's Biggest Complaints About Bowman's Moves
Bartner pointed to a string of moves he called costly mistakes. One key criticism was the trade of Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a second-round pick for goalie Tristan Jarry and his three-year contract at $5.4 million per year, according to Calgary Herald. Bartner also slammed the failure to match St. Louis's two-year, $2.3 million offer sheet for Dylan Holloway.
Another sore spot was replacing Viktor Arvidsson with Andrew Mangiapane. Bartner also criticized the trade of Tanner Frederic and Max Jones, which resulted in an eight-year deal at $3.85 million per year, according to Chatham Daily News. In Bartner's view, these were unnecessary costs that hurt the team's salary cap flexibility.
Bowman Did Shed Two Ugly Long-Term Contracts
Not everything Bowman did drew criticism. Bartner acknowledged that Bowman managed to move two expensive contracts off the books. The Oilers got rid of the Darnell Nurse deal and the Evander Kane contract, both considered overpays, according to Sudbury Star. Those moves freed up some cap space for the team.
Bowman also locked up key pieces for McDavid's title window. He re-signed defensemen Jake Walman, Connor Murphy, and young blueliner Sam Dickinson, according to Paris Star Online. Those signings were seen as positive steps toward building a contender around the superstar center.
Fans Push Back With a Solid B Grade for Bowman
While Bartner handed out a failing grade, Oilers fans were far more forgiving. A social media poll on Bowman's performance showed the majority of voters giving him a B, according to Mitchell Advocate. That suggests fans see more good than bad in his moves so far.
The gap between Bartner's take and fan opinion highlights a real divide. Critics focus on the cap hits and draft capital lost in trades. Fans seem to weigh the retained talent and cap relief more heavily. The truth of Bowman's tenure may not be clear until the Oilers' next deep playoff run, according to LF Press.
What's at Stake Inside McDavid's Shrinking Title Window
The debate over Bowman matters because time is running out. McDavid is entering his prime years, and the Oilers came close to a Stanley Cup title in recent seasons. Every bad contract or poor trade chips away at the team's ability to surround him with the right pieces, according to Pembroke Observer.
Bartner's core argument is that Bowman has made the job harder than it needed to be. "Easily avoidable" mistakes, in his view, have shrunk the margin for error. Whether fans agree or not, the pressure on Bowman to build a champion around McDavid is only going to grow, according to Stratford Beacon Herald.
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