Old Prof

Jim Parsons, Sr. is an odd hockey writer. First, he's in his mid-70s. Most hockey writers are much younger. Second, he comes to writing about hockey from a long academic career where his research focused on leadership, effective teams, human relationships, and the structure of organizations. He’s worked globally – including in China, Scotland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and several others. He’s been a visiting professor at several universities, both throughout North America and the world. Currently, he’s retired with his family on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. According to his wife, he's completely failed at retirement. He currently teaches research design online at four different Canadian universities and, in that role, he helps graduate students complete their dissertations and theses. Jim hopes to offer a unique perspective that even a small sample of people might be interested in. Jim Parsons Sr.

Stories By Old Prof

Vancouver Canucks
/ 6 days ago

Insider’s Take on the Canucks Raises Hard Rebuild Question

The Canucks face a longer runway than expected—Button says patience is the plan, but how long can Vancouver actually wait?

By Old Prof
Detroit Red Wings
/ 7 days ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Red Wings, Oilers & Maple Leafs Rejection

Patrick Kane weighs his future, Mike Babcock gets cleared, and the Maple Leafs passed on Bruce Cassidy. Why?

By Old Prof
NHL News
/ 7 days ago

Maple Leafs Prospect System No Longer Works the Old Way

The Marlies are no longer a simple pipeline—they’ve split into layers, changing how the Maple Leafs prospect path really works.

By Old Prof
NHL News
/ 7 days ago

Why McKenna’s Offence Makes the Defensive Stuff Forgivable

McKenna's defensive game needs work, but elite offensive talent is rare. His ceiling may be worth every risk and growing pain.

By Old Prof
NHL News
/ 1 week ago

Ruthless John Chayka Is a Problem for Other NHL GMs

The Maple Leafs’ shift to a more ruthless front office style is changing how other GMs view every trade negotiation.

By Old Prof
Edmonton Oilers
/ 1 week ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Canadiens & Maple Leafs Change

Oilers eye Tortorella and Montembeault as answers to key needs, while the Maple Leafs turn to Jim Hiller behind the bench.

By Old Prof
Calgary Flames
/ 1 week ago

This Flames & Stars Blockbuster Actually Worked for Both Teams

A rare NHL blockbuster where both Calgary and Dallas won big—30 years later, the Iginla–Nieuwendyk trade still looks perfectly fair.

By Old Prof
Edmonton Oilers
/ 1 week ago

Would Tortorella Actually Be a Fit in Edmonton?

Could John Tortorella be the Edmonton Oilers' next coach? The fit is intriguing, but the risks may be just as significant.

By Old Prof
Toronto Maple Leafs
/ 1 week ago

Why Jim Hiller Actually Makes Sense for the Maple Leafs

Hiller’s Maple Leafs hire blends familiarity, analytics, and risk—now Toronto bets he can unlock Matthews and Nylander in the playoffs.

By Old Prof
Edmonton Oilers
/ 1 week ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Flyers & Oilers Turmoil

Sportsnet's CBC split, the Leafs trade Joseph Woll, and Babcock rumors create fresh uncertainty across the NHL.

By Old Prof
NHL News
/ 1 week ago

Is This the Moment Hockey Stops Belonging to Everyone?

Sportsnet moving NHL hockey off CBC raises a bigger question: what do Canadians lose when tradition becomes a subscription product?

By Old Prof
Toronto Maple Leafs
/ 1 week ago

The Hardest Thing the Maple Leafs Lost Wasn’t a Goalie

Joseph Woll brought calm to Toronto's crease. The Leafs may replace the goalie, but replacing the person is much harder.

By Old Prof
Carolina Hurricanes
/ 1 week ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Maple Leafs & Marner’s Rejection

Babcock sparks concern in Edmonton, Tortorella draws interest, and Marner faces a painful Cup-winning what-if.

By Old Prof
Edmonton Oilers
/ 1 week ago

What the Oilers Can Steal from the Hurricanes, and How to Do It

Carolina didn’t win the Stanley Cup with magic—just structure. The Oilers can copy it, but only if they fix their chaos...

By Old Prof
Carolina Hurricanes
/ 1 week ago

Hurricanes Win the Cup in Ways that Aren’t Obvious

From Staal’s Conn Smythe to full roster buy-in, Carolina’s run was proof that team-first hockey still wins at the highest level.

By Old Prof
Carolina Hurricanes
/ 2 weeks ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canes, Oilers & a Cup Tilting Waiver Claim

Hurricanes win the Cup, a waiver pickup pays off, and Babcock’s possible NHL return stirs up talk around the Oilers.

By Old Prof
Carolina Hurricanes
/ 2 weeks ago

One Waiver Claim Is Starting to Pay Off for Hurricanes

Brandon Bussi arrived quietly in Carolina, but steady play and growing trust have made him a key piece of the Hurricanes'...

By Old Prof
Carolina Hurricanes
/ 2 weeks ago

The Golden Knights Are on Life Support in Game 6?

Vegas faces Game 6 pressure: protect Hart, stay out of the box, and replace Karlsson or risk letting Carolina close it...

By Old Prof
NHL Trade Talk Recap
/ 2 weeks ago

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Devils, Canadiens, Sharks & Maple Leafs

Across the NHL, trade talk is heating up on Markström, Montreal’s retool, and a potential Rielly-to-San Jose shift.

By Old Prof
Edmonton Oilers
/ 2 weeks ago

The Truth About Rielly and Nurse in Today’s NHL

There’s a knee-jerk reaction to big NHL contracts: who would take them? But Morgan Rielly and Darnell Nurse may not be...

By Old Prof