Former Atlanta Thrashers GM Rick Dudley picked up by Toronto Maple Leafs –NHL offseason Update
Rick Dudley, the now former general manager of Atlanta Thrashers, the franchise that was relocated to Winnipeg and now has become the Winnipeg Jets, was hired to manage Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday during round-two of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL)
Entry Draft.
It did not come as a surprise to most people that Rick Dudley was hired within days after he was let go of the former Thrashers' franchise by True North Sports and Entertainment group that purchased the club and brought it to the city of Winnipeg in Manitoba,
Canada.
It was Toronto Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke who go in touch with him after the team relocated.
"The day that Winnipeg notified me and the rest of the world that I wasn't going to Winnipeg, Burke got in touch with me and we started talking at that point and it evolved from there", Dudley said.
Dudley’s position in Toronto is still not clear, but he has been added to the payroll and been praised for his eye of scouting and evaluating talent on the ice.
"Rick is an exceptional evaluator of talent", said Dave Nonis, Toronto's vice-president of hockey operations. "If you look at where he's been and what's followed after he's left, it has usually been success".
Nonis stands true to the fact that Dudley has had a lot of experience in the league and undermining his abilities would be a fatal mistake.
He has had the opportunity to go through all levels in the NHL, including playing for Buffalo Sabres.
Dudley coached in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL), International Hockey League (IHL) and American Hockey League (AHL) and than in the NHL as Buffalo’s and Florida’s head coach.
He also remained the general manager of teams like Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and most recently, Atlanta Thrashers.
Joining Maple Leafs is just another stage of his illustrious career.
"I see the team as evolving into something good. And I'd like to be part of that, to be honest", Dudley said.
His position at his hometown team is still unclear, but it is expected to be announced before the new season begins.
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