I don’t wanna suggest that Charles Wang (above, left) has brought discredit to the New York metropolitan area’s 3rd most popular ice hockey franchise, but here’s a nice little aside from yesterday’s introductory press conference for new GM / old backup goalie Garth Snow (above, right), courtesy of Newsday’s Alan Hann.
Pat LaFontaine, who was also hired six weeks ago as a special adviser, added an extra shock when he stepped down from the position Tuesday night after Neil Smith’s ouster. A person with knowledge of the situation said LaFontaine quit because he, too, expected to have more of a say in matters than he did.
Wang said yesterday that despite Tuesday night’s bombshell, LaFontaine will still be involved with the organization.
“He’s going to continue to work for us,” Wang said, “just not in the same role.”
Coach Ted Nolan, who did not return phone calls yesterday, was not present at Snow’s news conference and has distanced himself from the events of the past two days – for good reason. Nolan had to endure a label of a “GM-killer” for many years after a feud with then-Buffalo Sabres GM John Muckler ended with Muckler getting fired in 1997.
Seriously, if this keeps up, Newsday might become James Dolan’s favorite paper.