If your trip to Florida takes you to a Tampa Bay Lightning game, there’s a chance you’ll meet Scotty Bowman. The legendary character maintains his winter home in Sarasota, an hour’s drive from the Lightning’s home.
• Also read: “Talk about a big guy!”: Scotty Bowman turns 90 and talks to us about Arber Xhekaj
• Also read: Scotty Bowman: When he started he paid $4,200, he would have made more money as a paint salesman
• Also read: Scotty Bowman: He went to see Howie Morenz play for 50 cents
• Also read: Scotty Bowman: When Jean-Guy Talbot broke his skull and ended his career
Bowman began regularly attending team games while he was a consultant for the Detroit Red Wings and later the Chicago Blackhawks. These visits gave him the opportunity to get to know his former Red Wings center Steve Yzerman.
In Detroit, Scotty Bowman had the opportunity to coach Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, also members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Photo Gary Caskey Portal
When Yzerman returned to the Wings organization, his successor Julien BriseBois ensured that Bowman kept his spot at Amalie Arena. BriseBois also ensures that there is a parking lot next to the amphitheater.
Scotty Bowman celebrates his last Stanley Cup win as a coach in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings. Next to him we recognize Ted Lindsay, Steve Yzerman and Gordie Howe. Photo Portal/Rebecca Cook
This continues to be the case even though Bowman has not been affiliated with a National League organization for five years. He remains welcome as long as he wants to go to the games.
“Julien treats me well. He’s friendly, he’s got a great personality,” Bowman said.
“He asks me about Sam Pollock. He asks me what he was like and why he was so effective in his role as general manager with the Canadiens.
Julien BriseBois, general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, lifts the Stanley Cup Photo AFP
Good working atmosphere
BriseBois works in a good environment in Tampa.
“Team owner Jeff Vinik loves hockey, but he’s not trying to run the sports side of the business,” Bowman says.
“BriseBois talks to him weekly.”
Bowman believes the Lightning are still a good team despite the departure of players who have been useful to them over the years. We can think in particular of Yanni Gourde, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn, who joined the Anaheim Ducks as free agents this summer.
“It won’t be as easy for the team,” he predicts.
“But she still relies on the best goalkeeper in the league (Andrei Vasilevskiy). In defense, Victor Hedman remains true to his position. There is also Mikhail Sergachev, who is doing well (we know that!). There are still good elements in the attack (Stamkos, Kucherov, Point, Hagel).”
Message to CH supporters
Additionally, Bowman expects the playoff race in the East to get more heated this season.
“Ottawa, Buffalo and Detroit are coming,” he warns.
“They are ahead of the Canadians in their rebuilding process.”
When we tell him that Kent Hughes says a playoff appearance remains elusive for his team, Bowman sends a message to those who want to move too quickly in the business.
Photo Joel Lemay, QMI Agency
“Transforming a team doesn’t happen overnight. It can’t just be done at the push of a button, he says.
“The vision of an agent who becomes general manager is different. He knows the salary cap rules perfectly. The Canadian still has six teams ahead of him. It’s not easy to get out of trouble. It requires patience.
“Still, the Canadian could see a 10% improvement.”
It would still be a long way to get into the playoffs.