Daryl Katz sat beaming after he opened the press conference in a rare public appearance to finally face the customers and listened to new GM and President of Hockey Operations Ken Holland field questions and make statements.
But behind the expression around his lips, people watching the press conference Tuesday morning were struck with the much different appearance of the owner since he last appeared in public.
His face had a different colour and look and his hair was more wild and unmanaged.
The result was a great deal of comment on social media that, some time after the press conference ended, was silenced when Rogers Sportsnet commentator John Shannon sent out the following tweets:
“There’s been a lot made publicly today about how Daryl Katz looks. After asking a few questions, I can tell you he has been struggling with life threatening bacteria-resistant sinus infection over the past few years.
“In fact, he carried an IV bag 24/7 during the playoff run two seasons ago. The infection has a 50-50 survival rate. He’s had three surgeries over the past 1O months with one more surgery to go. It is the primary reason he hasn’t been around Edmonton and the team.
“One final thought on Daryl Katz … As mentioned earlier Daryl has one more surgery, but is through the worst of it and the long-term prognosis is positive.”
When contacted for confirmation Oilers executive Tim Shipton replied; “I can confirm John’s tweets are factual.”
When asked for a telephone interview with Katz, he responded; “No, Daryl won’t comment on it.”
Katz appeared at the press conference primarily to deliver two statements.
1. That Holland would have complete authority and autonomy to make any and all moves without interference.
2. Admit failure to the fan base and accept responsibility.
“When it comes to hiring someone with the experience and credibility and the authority to make an immediate impact, which is what we need, nobody else comes close. Above all Ken commands respect from players, scouts and other executives throughout the hockey world … and having got Ken Holland you can be sure he will have full autonomy as general manager. You can ask him, but I don’t think he’d be here if that wasn’t the case.
“I want to say a few more things. One, we have not delivered on the promise we have made to our fans in recent years. You know it. I know it. And we all know it. And while accountability falls on everyone in our organization, it starts and it stops with me. And I want you to know that we are listening to our fans. We get it. And we’re doing everything we can to get it right.”
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On Twitter: @ByTerryJones
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