Shark bait

Lombardi's downfall began with Nabokov's holdout

Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi fell victim Tuesday to a seven-year itch of sorts, as he was fired by team president and CEO Greg Jamison. SI.com spoke to Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber about the move and how Lombardi lost his way in San Jose.

SI.com: After building a credible team from the ashes, Dean Lombardi lost his job. Why now, at this point in the season? And what was the rationale beyond the team's record?

Farber: If you want to go and look back that this team's record in this disastrous season -- I fully expected them to compete for the Western Conference -- it started off before the season even began, most notably the inability to get Evgeni Nabokov signed and in camp. We've seen it in the past where teams don't seem ready to play off the hop, and when you're missing a goalie who I consider in the top third of the league, you're asking for trouble. So things went sour not from Day One, but from before Day One.

The other thing is that the team seemed content with small successes. They could have beaten Colorado last season in the playoffs, they certainly gave the Avalanche all they could handle. And the pieces were all there. Then San Jose made some in-season moves -- I thought Ron Wilson was the right guy -- but nothing seemed to be working. If you're looking to assign fault, some lies in not having his team at the start of the year.

SI.com: What kind of presence is Lombardi as a general manager? And how would you rate his success as a GM in the league?

Farber: He was the most fretful man, you could always see the concern over his head. And he always looked so sad. He was a guy who could see the dark clouds over the horizon. Something was always going to go wrong, and today it did.

Along the way, I think he learned on the job. I think he built the team the right way; he stockpiled some good young forwards and picked up some high-end talent. I thought he did a nice job on something less than Detroit's or the Rangers' budget. He helped improve the Sharks over the years and he did it methodically, and with respect. Until this season, he did a splendid job. Still, he didn't seem to enjoy the triumphs as much as he perhaps should have.

The only thing you can possibly fault him on is that the Sharks tended to rush players early on. The didn't have a choice, mind you but Patrick Marleau and Jeff Friesen may have been given too much responsibility too soon. But, again, circumstances didn't allow it, they didn't have the depth of New Jersey, so you do what you can with what you have.

SI.com: If the problem is indeed in the locker room, should Lombardi take any blame for acquiring the players?

Farber: Owen Nolan was your star player, and he isn't the best captain in the NHL, and Vincent Damphousse isn't the best team guy. But Nolan was the captain last year, and there were good team guys, good heart-and-soul guys such as Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton there. So I don't see that as the major problem. That's a tough thing to say.

SI.com: Why fire Lombardi after he's made all the moves he has this season?

Farber: I don't know. You'll have to ask Greg Jamison that. The timing is curious, though, and the way in which he was fired, literally pulled off of a plane before it was taking off, isn't piling on, it's just insulting.

SI.com: Anyone you might think would work well as a GM in San Jose?

Farber: If they go outside of team, beyond possibly promoting Doug Wilson, I don't know what their thinking is, but the first person I would call is Bob Gainey. The best hockey person not doing that, and presumably will again, is Gainey.

SI.com: Where do you think Lombardi might turn up next?

Farber: I think he should turn up next, but I'm not sure where. I think he did a good enough and an honorable enough job that someone would hire him. He's experienced, and his scouts worked well for him. Maybe he'll have to take a step back, possibly as director of player development, but he should work again as a general manager.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL for the magazine and is a regular contributor to SI.com.

 

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