Was anyone else a little miffed by this email? I still think the situation is being handled very badly.
Basically nothing was explained except for the fact that the BOD felt that the trade wasn't fair enough to suffice both teams.
And what is up with this:
"Any and ALL concerns with the issue should be brought up to the commissioners privately via e-mail"
That is totally unacceptable, especially in a pay league. It totally muzzles people from voicing their opinions and discourages discussion. Discussion is healthy, why shouldn't we be able to voice our concerns about the league publicly.
It doesn't even seem like anyone took into account anything that was said in the Bergeron thread. All this email did was give everyone a pat on the head for coming out and say that in the end the decision will be made by the commishes. Obviously they need to have the final say but especially in a pay league GMs need to have some kind of power. Whether it be on the BOD, in trade vetoing, in rule discussions. Some things need to be put to a vote and some things need to be discussed before they are implemented.
As Detroit said "It's gonna be super hard to find replacement GM's when GM's who feel they aren't being listened to walk."
I don't feel that anyone was really listened to at all on this matter nor was there an attempt to incorporate GMs into the league...there was an attempt to basically shut them up.
__________________
To NYIslander: Daniel Tjarnqvist, Duvie Westcott, Ilja Bryzgalov, Pat Rissmiller, Tom Poti, Bjorn Melin, Karri Ramo, Tom Gilbert
To Boston: Chris Pronger, Doug Murray, Jocelyn Thibault, Ken Klee, Wade Brookbank, Denis Istomin, Viktor Dovgan
I'm at work, so I have to make this brief please do not mistake that for being rude or abrupt.
The reason I want things emailed privately is so that I can take care of the concerns individually, that way things don't end up in a pissing match, and I can hopefully answer and easy any concerns directly with the GMs.
In my opinion the original deal with Bergeron is no longer an issue, the trade was vetoed by the BOD in a unanimous vote, I feel the board did exactly what it was there for.
In no way are we trying to "shut the GMs up" your opinions are valued and listened to, however, at this point to continue the griping in a public matter was not getting us anywhere, hence why I would like to handle each complaint/concern individually.
The only issue at hand was the morality of TB trading for a guy after he was one of teh BOD members who vetoed the trade. Due to the fact that he asked Vancouver (the team who originally had traded for Bergeron) permission to seek a deal, shows this wasn't an underhanded attempt, and realistically, everyone had the same opportunity.
If there is any blame in this situation, it realistically is on Eric and myself for not communicating better the status of Bergeron's availablility. Although talking to Jay (LA GM) he got what he was after for Bergeron, and is happy with what he netted.
I hope this answer's your question of why we are trying to take this route, by no means are we trying to shut GMs up, you are the lifeblood of the league, we are simply trying to deal with the situation in a one-on-one manner so that all your concerns get answered in a much tidier format.
I am sure that this isn't likely going to be a reply that will be taken to kindly, but remember, it is only my opinion.
You as a member of the league aren't a voting member of a democracy. This could be considered a business. As a customer of that business you have a right to provide your thoughts and insight to the business owner and have them provide you with reasonable explanations. If you are not happy with the business or those answers, you have the right to withhold your money and use it elsewhere.
If it were a restaurant, you could complain to a manager in private or stand on your chair and scream that "This restaurant sucks."
There is a lot of bitching that goes on. And if you guys want to know as a former commish, the incessant bitching (Don't get me wrong, because some of the complaints might be valid.) is more a threat to the league than any one, two or five GMs jumping out the window.
This is a non profit organization. They are doing it for the excitement of a pay league, and not making any money.
Any complaints should be done in a respectful private way, because instead of discussion, you get whining and complaining.
If you feel like the commissioners don't reply in a way that is timely and reasonable, then a group email to the whole BOD is well within reason.
Post on a messageboard complaining. "Either this gets fixed or I walk." just cause dissension. If I were commmish I would say, this is the explanation, and if you don't like it...WALK. Money league or no money league.
There is a procedure in place that has to be followed, and the thought that all GMs should get a say in each in every situation is terrible. Leagues run well with good leadership...not 30 cooks trying to make the broth.
Email Bryce, Eric, the BOD, try to find a solution to the problem, but public bitch sessions ruin a league more than anything.
Could not have put it better myself. This is a Non Profit Organization! the League is for excitement and to keep GM's together for a decent period to try and build a franchise. All the Whining over a deal that has obviously been focused on (in my opinion, way too much), and a decision has been made!
I wasn't necessarily advocating to have a league wide vote on every issue, but on some issues, ya, there probably should be a league wide vote or at least more says for GMs. My post was pretty whiny and critical and that may not have been the best way to approach the situation. The my way or the highway approach is certainly not going to be effective in a league like this.
It may be a so called Non Profit Organization, but we are paying to be in the league, and I don't know any customers that are going to be happy if they feel they aren't being listened to. I'm not saying that is the case here, but just in general.
Having a good discussion and being downright critical, which I was probably guilty of here, are two totally different things. Saying that all issues should be brought to the commishes or the BOD and be discussed respectively in private really doesn't open up the discussion forum.
I would just like there to be more discussion on certain issues going forward, ie rule changes at the end of the year, how the league can be improved, etc.
__________________
To NYIslander: Daniel Tjarnqvist, Duvie Westcott, Ilja Bryzgalov, Pat Rissmiller, Tom Poti, Bjorn Melin, Karri Ramo, Tom Gilbert
To Boston: Chris Pronger, Doug Murray, Jocelyn Thibault, Ken Klee, Wade Brookbank, Denis Istomin, Viktor Dovgan
I wasn't necessarily advocating to have a league wide vote on every issue, but on some issues, ya, there probably should be a league wide vote or at least more says for GMs. My post was pretty whiny and critical and that may not have been the best way to approach the situation. The my way or the highway approach is certainly not going to be effective in a league like this.
It may be a so called Non Profit Organization, but we are paying to be in the league, and I don't know any customers that are going to be happy if they feel they aren't being listened to. I'm not saying that is the case here, but just in general.
Having a good discussion and being downright critical, which I was probably guilty of here, are two totally different things. Saying that all issues should be brought to the commishes or the BOD and be discussed respectively in private really doesn't open up the discussion forum.
I would just like there to be more discussion on certain issues going forward, ie rule changes at the end of the year, how the league can be improved, etc.
And that wasn't what I said...but problems, issues, lines not uploaded, rulings on key issues are done by leadership.
Group directives...like changing free agency etc etc will always be up for league discussion.
I just want to say that as a commisioner I also hate league wide votes since they take lon to organize and I always like to have a commity to go to if decisions need to be made. Bryce and Eric have done a great job and I know I have had questions regarding rules and when I ask Bryce or Eric I always get a quick and polite response and always clear as well. Hey also listen to suggestions I may have and Eric did send out a questionnaire for GMs to voice their opinions so I don't know how nayone can say they are not being listened to. The BOD has 6 of the GM's with the most experience in FHL and who have been in many leagues, understand the issues and even if they may not represent all the GM's they are a good way to vot eon certain things such as trades quite quickly. I'm on the BOD because I was asked to be on it but I don't feel that I have to be or that it gives me more power at all. I just feel that certain GM's are hungry for power they don't need.
Eric and Bryce have done a good job sure not perfect, never will be, and have listened to us. It's not because huge arguments on the board that get GMs fighting and hating eachother are discouraged that we are not being listened to.
Anyways that's all I've got to say on the topic and it's only my opinion.
I agree with G Hawks for once..:) Basically what i put in the email is i would like decisions made by bryce and Eric, for as wel all care about our teams and ourselves, I genuinely belive that they care for the welfare of the League.
They said if next year someone walks and its a bad team, "in those circumstances, either we'd lower the admission fee for them or either eric or I would be willing to take that team". LIke obviously they can't just keep losing but anyone who says that earns my respect and trust.
I think the league should be informed on the final solution to problems and maybe a brief reasoning but we dont need to be a part of the whole process.
The only thing I would add to this discussion is that the communication in this league is horrible. I think 90% of the negative reaction to this whole siuation over the past week has been due to most GMs not knowing what is going on.
There needs to be a better place where trades are posted (a link under the games played or daily transactions would be great). In my league every trade, waiver claim and free agency signing is listed on one simple transaction page. Not a big deal to update, just fire it into the web page at the same time the deal gets put into the sim.
There needs to be league-wide notification if for some reason a deal is vetoed with the BOD reasons why. And there have been other issues that have come up and not been communicated to the league quick enough.
Hell, I would rather see a daily email from Bryce or Eric, even if it says nothing more than "Games have been simmed", than no emails at all and these types of problems occuring. This is what I have done in my league in the past and I find most GMs would rather delete one email per day than not be reminded of what is going on in the league day to day.
