NHL Announces Finalists for GM of the Year

The NHL is wrapping up it's award season and the nominees are out for the GM of the Year. The list of finalists include Montreal Canadiens boss Marc Bergevin, Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders and Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers.

The award is technically called the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award and the voting happens among GMs, league executives, and media members and this took place after the second round of the playoffs. 

Zito's Panthers are the only team of the bunch who are currently watching and the Canadiens and Islanders are still battling for the Stanley Cup. For each executive they have made a number of different moves that have impacted their roster. Montreal has signed multiple free agents including Tyler Toffoli, Joel Edmundson, Jake Allen, and Corey Perry while trading for Josh Anderson, Eric Staal and Jon Merrill. Meanwhile the Islanders were led by Lou's decision making, including a blockbuster deal with the Devils to add Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. 

As for the Panthers they acquired Sam Bennett and signed Carter Verhaeghe in the offseason, two players who have had a tremendous impact on their club. 

All three executives are deserving of the award but from all accounts it sounds like it's Bergevin's to lose.

Photo credit:  Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports