The problem with hiring franchise darlings for upper management positions is that, inevitably, they're going to pack up their desk. Perhaps of their own accord, perhaps with the team owner's boot to their backside. No matter the catalyst, it's like yanking an IV of nostalgic euphoria from the arms of fans, even if in many cases the bag has been seriously depleted over time.
The NHL is littered with the shards of shattered childhood dreams that pictured Kevin Lowe creating another Edmonton Oilers dynasty, Brett Hull as the "ambassador of fun!" for the Dallas Stars, Pat LaFontaine turning around the Buffalo Sabres and now Trevor Linden "amicably" leaving the Vancouver Canucks after four years.