How Far Along Are the Nashville Predators in Their GM Search?
Kyle Bukauskas asked Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast about where the Nashville Predators’ general manager search is at. Friedman noted that, while it may not be in its final stages, they are conducting in-person interviews with people on the short list.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
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Kyle Bukauskas: “So the search is just beginning for a new general manager, or whatever that role is going to be in Toronto. The search has been ongoing in Nashville. Is there anything new to add to the process with the Predators?”
Elliotte Friedman: “So I believe that the Predators are either in the process or about to do in-person interviews. I don’t know if I would call this the final stage of the process, but it’s definitely moved into a deeper stage of the process.
My theory is among the people they have scheduled for in person interview are Bill Scott of Edmonton, Scott White of the Dallas Stars, Brett Peterson of the Florida Panthers. And I think John Chayka is another one that they have gone deep into the process with. So it’s interesting that Chayka has been someone who now is mentioned as a person of interest in both Toronto and Nashville.
Mike Gillis was contacted by them. I don’t believe he’s going to be a finalist for this one. I always believe there’s the possibility I’m missing something. I have wondered if Jeff Kelty, who is a current assistant GM there, would get any chance at a formal interview. They had indicated they might consider it, and a few people have mentioned the possibility of it, I just don’t know. I’ll be honest.
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I had heard that there was an agent who was part of this process, and I don’t believe it was ever a formal interview, but I do believe they reached out to gauge the interest of an agent named Matt Keator. Now, Matt Keator represented Zdeno Chara. He represents, among current players, Adam Fox and Chris Kreider, Leo Carlsson.
I don’t know if I’d be too eager to run out on that commission. I’ll tell you that much. Good reminder, I kind of like the commission I could get there. Yeah, great player. I don’t believe that went to the interview process, but I do believe they reached out to gauge his interest.
And like I said, Matt is a pretty sharp guy. I wrote this week, I think they asked for permission on Brandon Pridham. But as far as I know, I think Bill Scott’s in deep. I think Scott White’s in deep. I think Brett, Brett Peterson’s in deep. I think John Chayka is in deep. I’ve wondered about Kelty, and I have the suspicion that I’m missing somebody.
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But I always leave room for the possibility I’m missing somebody, as I said on Nick And Justin’s show the other day, I have wondered about Tom Fitzgerald for this job, and the only reason I’ve wondered about it is a combination of there seems to be uncertainty in New Jersey, and he was their first captain.
Now, Fitzgerald’s had, I mean, that was 25 years ago. A lot of things have happened between now and then, but because he has management experience, and because I’ve talked to him about this in the past, how much he loved being captain of that team. I am sure if he was available, that it would be, it makes sense, from a sentimental point of view, gentlemen, that maybe they would like to talk to him.
He’s a guy who has a connection to Nashville, but right now he’s still employed in New Jersey, and I just don’t know where that’s gonna go.”
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