Football
20y

Struggling Blackhawks fire general manager

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks fired general manager Mike
Smith on Friday, citing differences between him and coach Brian
Sutter.

Senior vice president Bob Pulford was named interim general
manager.

"It had become apparent to me toward the end of last season and
the beginning of this year that our general manager and head coach
were not on the same page," Pulford said.

There had been reports since last spring that Smith and Sutter
have been at odds over philosophy. Smith wanted the team to play
more of its young prospects.

The Blackhawks, in last place in the Central Division, are off
to a disappointing 2-4-1 start this season.

Pulford said, the dispute became intolerable last week when
Smith told members of the press that Sutter was out to get him.

"Things had been coming to a head between the two of them,"
Pulford said. "As a representative of the Blackhawks, I had to
make a decision and it was made."

Smith became general manager in 2000, a year after joining the
team as manager of hockey operations. He served as a consultant to
the Blackhawks from 1995 to 1997 under Pulford.

He said he was not surprised or shocked at being fired, having
gone through the process before with Winnipeg. However, he did say
he had no inkling that his job was in jeopardy until he was called
home from the team's West Coast trip on Wednesday.

Smith acknowledged there were major differences between Sutter
and himself, but he wouldn't go into details.

"I don't think everyone in an organization has to be on the
same side of the street," he said. "They should be on the same
street."

Pulford said Sutter's job as coach is safe and the new general
manager will be told that Sutter will be the Blackhawks' coach.

Pulford said the team will not immediately begin the search for
a new GM. He said he has already talked to team owner William Wirtz
about prospects, and thinks thought Dean Lombardi would be a good
candidate.

Lombardi was fired earlier as general manager of San Jose after
transforming the Sharks from laughingstocks to Stanley Cup
contenders during seven seasons.

Smith held a variety of positions with the Winnipeg Jets from
1979 to 1994, including coach and general manager.

Smith then became associate general manager for the Toronto
Maple Leafs for two seasons before rejoining the Blackhawks.

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