If I were a beat reporter who tracked the team day to day for a living and/or if I had been a writing rhythm when the news broke initially, I would have written about John Forslund and that whole situation when it broke. Instead, I have been a bit stuck at how to come at that whole thing.
For those with a subscription to The Athletic, Sara Civian caught up with John Forslund and shared some perspective from his side of the situation.
But I am not using hyperbole when I say that the John Forslund situation is the biggest thing happening with the Carolina Hurricanes right now despite the fact that we are now only two weeks from playoff hockey.
In my book, John Forslund ranks second only to Rod Brind’Amour in terms of being central to the fabric of the team, organization and community. (If you want to make a case for Ron Francis for what he did getting hockey on the map in North Carolina, I acknowledge the merit in your opinion but stick with mine that has Forslund only behind Brind’Amour.)
Though John Forslund’s formal role is that of a television play-by-play announcer, his place in Hurricanes hockey history and our community is much more substantial than that.
He has been with us since the beginning of Hurricanes hockey back in 1997 in Greensboro. He, along with the early players, did the hard work to lay a foundation for hockey in North Carolina. My first impression of John Forslund (and Chuck Kaiton too for that matter) is how both were always accessible to the fan base and willing to talk and answer questions from both long-time hockey fans and new fans who were new to the game with the same respect and sincerity. That accessibility of the founding members of the Hurricanes organization laid the foundation for what became a special and unique relationship between the team and fan base that I have not seen anywhere else is in my life’s sports travels.
Since then, Forslund has been an integral part of the highest highs in the team’s deep playoff runs in 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2019. But maybe more significantly, John Forslund was someone that the fan base could be proud of and enjoy during the significant lows in between the playoff runs.
He is very clearly one of us, and I think that is where Tom Dundon and Canes management miscalculated.
With that, let me tackle the situation from a couple different angles somewhat in stream of consciousness format (stop reading now if you cannot take that :-)).
Deja vu
In some ways the situation was different, but this current situation definitely reminds me of the Don Waddell situation last summer. Despite building a playoff team in his first season as general manager, Waddell was suddenly flying to Minnesota to at least consider the General Manager position with the wild. Similar comments were made about Waddell having the opportunity to pursue opportunities. He ultimately returned, but the situation was still quite bizarre and showed Dundon’s comfort level running his business out of the norm.
Misunderstanding of Forslund’s role
Per what I said above, I think what is most striking is how much of a misestimation this is of Forslund’s role. He is not a television announcer. He is an ambassador for the entire team, a key part of the product and someone that the fan base values well beyond his role. I was not surprised to see Forslund’s next contract result in a negotiation. He has earned the right to be paid a premium for his role and with that comes a legitimate need to negotiate terms. But in not getting something done even if it was a bit more than desired, I think Tom Dundon is shooting himself in the foot. The goodwill that is being lost pretty much unanimously among the fan base is hard to put an exact number to but is no doubt substantial. And I think that the ill will he is generating is something that fans will maybe put away but at some point pull back out. That is to say, with the team winning right now, I suspect many of the grumblers (myself included) will not muster any kind of boycott. But if/when there is another downturn, this it the type of ill will that will have many people souring on Tom Dundon and wanting to stick it to him at some point.
Risky timing
With games being played without fans putting all of the die-hard fans in front of their televisions for each and every game. The broadcast is even more critical to the product. And if the 2020-21 sees part or all of the season played without fans, the significance grows further. Timing could not be worse for not having John Forslund playing his part in the quality of the television version of the Canes product.
The remaining/new crew
If he does okay in the tactical part of the role, elevating Mike Maniscalco up into the booth is a smart move by Dundon. Maniscalco is similarly loved by the fan base. That maybe lessens the uproar and reduces the pessimistic scrutiny that the broadcasts receive from the fan base. But it does not undo the damage.
Chance for reconciliation?
During the early stages of this situation when Forslund’s contract expired at the beginning of July, I fully expected that the situation would ultimately be resolved. My best guess was that Dundon was negotiating to contain costs as much as possible but was also realized that he had the keep Forslund even with a premium price for his role. But with more time passing and the recent comments by both sides, that seems less likely now.
Has Seattle hired for this role yet? Who better to be a face for a new franchise than someone who played a similar role for the Hurricanes many years ago.
What say you Canes fans?
1) If you had to pick a percent between 0 and 100 for a John Forslund return, what would it be at this point?
2) If Forslund does not return, other than grumbling how does this change your feelings about the Carolina Hurricanes and what do you do differently as a fan going forward?
3) Any other thoughts/comments on the situation?
Go Canes!
It doesn’t look good. I wouldn’t say 0, maybe 20%. I have a feeling Dundon is hoping Big Rig will do OK and that makes it ok.
What really pisses me off on this is Dundon’s whole shtick after buying the Canes was to improve the fan experience. I get what he wanted to do to PNC, but not everyone goes to the games. He had in Forslund and Tracy a great fan experience already in the one medium most fans follow the team, TV. I think Dundon is completely effing this up. I was upset with Chuck K, but understand that radio revenue isn’t much. However, TV is huge. He’s betting he can put trained chimps on the tube and as long as the team wins, people will watch. All I can say is if it becomes too painful to watch, like the Shaya games have been, I can take my 5 or 6 game actual visit as my only live source of Canes games.
1) 10%. Not impossible, but I think nearly irreparable damage has been done.
2) Anyone who has read my comments the past two years knows I expect ownership to act poorly. Though I will say the likely Charlotte – to- Chicago move followed by this has me questioning whether my admiration for RBA and the players is reason enough to stay emotionally attached to what is clearly the Dundon Hurricanes.
3) Great wealth and the power it possesses is a corruptive influence. I have read fans repeatedly stating that Dundon has spent money on the new practice facility and upgrades at PNC. The former was funded before he became owner and the Canes are merely a tenant—albeit the major one. The latter is funded by taxpayers. Admittedly, more is being spent on the roster. But to give an individual credit for using tax monies always baffles me.
I see Dundon doing to the Canes what Snyder did to the Redskins with the same amount of success. I understood (but didn’t like) the Chuck K situation because radio isn’t what it once was but to mess with the top broadcasting team on TV is just beyond stupid.
For me, since I live in Charlotte and do not get to PNC much (even though I probably should go more), the telecast is the product, and further, since I subscribe to NHL Center Ice and get a chance to watch every other local telecast, I can say with certainty that ours is unquestionably among the elite broadcasts – not even a question.
The entire reason I started watching hockey back in 2011-ish was because of John and Tripp. I was souring on the NBA and started to watch hockey mostly because “there was nothing else on.” The team was not that good but John and Tripp made watching a losing team worthwhile. They were extremely entertaining and the real product to me, equal to the hockey; and then I just became a fan of the team over time.
This is extremely disappointing to me. MM may be a real Caniac and I wish him well but he is not going to replace John Forslund. No one can do that. The product I consume has just degraded in quality no matter what happens on the ice.
A sad day indeed.
There’s something to be said for doing things differently and not caring about public backlash, such as the Storm Surge. But then there’s another level where the backlash is your own fan base or backlash from the best people in your company who don’t feel valued.
Dundon is a classic egotistical billionaire. He thinks as long as he is in charge, he can direct his minions to maximize profit and any minion is replaceable. That goes for coaches, players, administrators, GMs, etc.
I think there’s almost no chance Forslund returns now. I think it’s only a matter of time before Waddell and RBA are insulted with low ball contract extensions and they move on as well.
Tom Dundon believes coaches , announcers, GMs, and general employees are all replaceable. All are offered some form of pay cut if they want to stay. Why would Forslund be any difference? You should have seen this coming. Not only linking his pay to something he has absolutely no control over, but taking away his benefits as well. I think the chances of Forslund returning are maybe 2%.
Dundon pays for players. That’s it. It will be interesting to see what happens when Brind’Amour’s contract is up. If Rod leaves in the same way I will be done. I can’t support someone who treats people like Tom Dundon does.
1. 10% or less
2. I may stop watching the telecast, this is the only reason I have a Fox Sports regional package, removing it could save me 20 or 30 bucks a month (not huge but if there’s no point in having it it’s money saved). I won’t do it yet, MM is a great Caniac and I’m curious how he does as an announcer (Shaya is a great guy but his play-by-play just didn’t do it for me). But a Canes cast without hockey may be enough to make me stop following the team (and I’m not saying it as a challenge or outrage, I’m just genuinely saddened).
3. John and Trip are the Canes, they are the core of the team. They’ve been around longer than anyone (except maybe the equipment manager). I would put John alongside RBA as the top Caniac, he’s been here for all of it, he’s stuck with the team, he’s been consistently elite. Fortunately you don’t have to pick one greatest Caniac.
I think TD is destroying the soul of the Canes. He may still have a sports team, but it’s no longer “our Carolina Hurricanes”, just a squad of hockey mercenaries without ties to the place or personalities that make them ours.
The damage isn’t fully done yet, but the Forslund situation was a gigantic shift in that direction.
I’m an optimist generally so I’ll say 40 he returns.
I will still watch and still root, I cannot say that I won’t one day get over it. Success can help in these regards. As a tarhole fan I got over Matt Doherty. As a White Sox fan it took a world series to get over the way Frank Thomas was treated at the end of his time. I was much younger then. We’ll see where I stand with the Panthers in a few years. Sports is like life it is cyclical, it ebbs and flows, fandom can be the same. I do feel like losing Forslund would be losing of a part of ourselves. A dear part of who the canes and their fans are to each other. In the short term it’s not a good look and it might be the sign of a larger trend within the organization. Unfortunately we, as fans, have no control and really no say. Speak with your dollars if you must, I’ve never had enough dollars so that my lack of spending wouldn’t be noticed. I’m getting the cable back to watch these playoffs, and also when next season starts. And I want to be outdoors if that ever happens. So I guess I’m down still.
If you get emails from the NHL there was a survey they sent out a few days ago for fans about the current league situation. In it you’ll have a few opportunities to address the team directly, I found it a good outlet for my opinions on the matter. Try not to be all internet comment board in your relating your opinion, just be sincere.
I hope that whatever happens that the canes find success and Forslund and family are happy.
1. Forslund’s return is just no going to happen. Sara Civian had a great article in The Athletic in which she reported some of his comments. You could tell the frustration.
It has been said above – and TD loudly proclaimed it when he took over – everyone is replaceable and you can always find cheaper (his failed interviews for GMs because he would not pay close to market).
2. I have felt my level of support and fandom diminishing – success on the ice won’t bring it back, I don’t think. One of the reasons I became a fan of the team and remained one for so many seasons was that the team felt like family in the way it treated it’s players, people and fans. It was easy to cheer for.
Now that is not the case.
I am really not sure how my path will proceed here but I may have some signed jerseys to unload before long.
3. With Forslund – more so than ChuckK and RonF – TD is showing his a$$ big and bright for the Caniac Nation to see. MikeM will do a wonderful job as PBP – he showed it several times last season, but you don’t treat a team legend and the loyal face/voice of the team the way he treated Forslund.
I really hope John gets a big contract with NHL – but maybe better would be TBL; he is a man who likes to be rooted. He will be missed.
Oh wow I went on vacation and I come back to this s**tshow!
I’m a dual citizen of CT and NC, was a friend of Donnie Mac; I hang out at the Ledge… Gave my 2006 Game seven Tix to two of my children and I now curse at “ blackout” restrictions from FL while attending games once a month…
Ya know I never post anything but this thread has the most responses that I’ve Ever seen… consistently hard core Canes fans are of one mind and I agree. John Forslund is the best! I have decided to stream the other team’s broadcast even if it will kill me… and that it will do!
I didn’t like the RF “firing” and was certainly curious about the Waddell situation last year but several of you have analyzed this well… TD as Dan Snyder-wow we’re doomed ????