Jim Rutherford shockingly stepped down as the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday afternoon. There are a number of executives and former general managers being considered for the job, but it appears that Pierre McGuire is the leading candidate.
McGuire was discovered by Scotty Bowman when McGuire was coaching at St. Lawrence University. When Bowman was promoted to interim head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991, he brought McGuire on as an assistant coach. In fact, McGuire won the 1992 Stanley Cup as the assistant coach. He has also served as the head coach of the Hartford Whalers and as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators. He's served in every imaginable capacity, but he's most known for his broadcasting career. He began doing radio and television in 1997 and has become one of the most renowned analysists in the game.
Although McGuire is said to be a querky individual, his hockey knowledge is second to none. He can tell you what Sidney Crosby had for breakfast on September 26th, 1996 (probably). His knowledge and experience has brought him to the forefront as the candidate to be the next General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's noteworthy that he interviewed for the job in 2014 and was very close to getting the job.
Who Are The Other Candidates?
1. Pat Brisson
He is Sidney Crosby's agent and personal friend of Mario Lemieux
2. Marc Bergevin
He is the current GM of the Montreal Canadiens. There is one year left on his contract and the rumor is the Canadiens are prepared to move on from Bergevin.
3. Jason Botterill
He was Rutherford's right hand man during the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup wins in Pittsburgh. He recently look an assistant GM job with the Seattle Kraken, but could certainly accept a superior role with another team.
4. Ron Hextall
"Hacky" Hextall is a former NHL goaltender and GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. He was fired because his rebuild was "taking too long", but his regime drafted their top prospects. The LA Kings advisor is very much in the conversation.
5. Kevin Weekes
Weekes is a longtime NHL goaltender and has enjoyed a successful broadcasting career since 2009. He interviewed for the Florida Panther's GM opening last year. He will surely be interviewed for the Penguins job.
6. Chris Drury
He was a sensational NHL'er and is currently employed in the New York Rangers' front office. This guy will be a general manager at some point in time, whether or not the Penguins take him on this time around.
7. Scott Mellanby
He was in the running for the Florida Panthers job over the summer, perhaps because of his long career there as a player. He's the assistant GM with the Montreal Canadiens under Marc Bergevin.
Pierre McGuire, Penguins GM? Who says no?! My piece on Jim Rutherford stepping down and what comes next for Pittsburgh. Plus, 3 stars of the season so far, winners (Saroya Tinker!) and losers (The fake wave!) of the week. (ESPN+)
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