from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- How do you become an NHL general manager? The best way is to play in the NHL. Almost half the league’s GMs played at the highest level. The second best way: Be related to a former GM: Six current general managers, Stan Bowman, Tim Murray, Ray Shero, David Poile, Chuck Fletcher, Dean Lombardi had family in front offices before they found their way.

- Here is my personal ranking of NHL defencemen, all-time: 1. Bobby Orr. On an island by himself. No one else around. 2. Nicklas Lidstrom, same thing. Orr is alone. Lidstrom is alone. Then you can argue where to put Larry Robinson, Denis Potvin, Ray Bourque, Doug Harvey, Eddie Shore, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger.

more