The latest round of NHL rumors involves various organizations looking for their next GMs. That situation has led to plenty of speculation about several candidates moving from one locale to another. At the same time, other names have circulated as potential recycling of executives from one club to another.
Even the Vancouver Canucks, who are not searching for a GM, have gotten into the mix of NHL rumors regarding front-office changes this offseason.
So, let’s dive into the chatter.
NHL Rumors: Canucks Deny Permission to Predators to Speak with Johnson
An interesting tidbit involves the Canucks denying the Nashville Predators permission to speak with Abbotsford Canucks GM Ryan Johnson, insider Rick Dhaliwal reported on the April 8 edition of the Donnie & Dhali podcast.
The Predators are looking for a potential GM replacement as incumbent Barry Trotz will be retiring at the end of the season. The club has kind of flown under the radar as it hasn’t made major NHL rumors in its GM search.
Some names have emerged around the Predators. But Dhaliwal’s take on the situation is certainly interesting. The Canucks’ AHL affiliate has been successful in recent seasons, winning last year’s Calder Cup. As such, it’s no surprise that other organizations would want to speak with Johnson. It’s also not surprising that the Canucks would put their foot down and slam the door on any encroachment from other organizations.
Maple Leafs Could Be Looking at One of Two Panthers AGMs
NHL rumors emerged on Thursday that the Toronto Maple Leafs have requested and received permission to speak to Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta. Mehta has quite an interesting background, including data science. So, he seems like the “data-centric” individual that Leafs CEO Keith Pelley talked about.
That said, Mehta might not be the only Panthers’ AGM the Leafs, or the New Jersey Devils, for that matter, could target. According to David Pagnotta, Florida’s other assistant GM, Brett Peterson could be in the mix.
As Pagnotta pointed out, Peterson has the same analytical mentality that Mehta does. And it’s that situation that could make Peterson an under-the-radar candidate, especially if other teams miss out on Mehta.
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Devils Could Be Looking at a Reunion
Staying with the Devils, more NHL rumors emerged regarding their executive search. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the club’s interest in former Devil Jamie Langenbrunner. The Devils’ former captain is currently an assistant general manager with the Boston Bruins.
As Dreger noted, the link between Langenbrunner and the Devils specifically ties into another former Devils player, Martin Brodeur. Brodeur, who is currently an executive vice president with the Devils, has a solid relationship with Langenbrunner.
And considering that Brodeur should have plenty of input into the GM search, Lagenbrunner may have a leg up in the process.
With the Devils also searching for a President of Hockey Operations, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Langenbrunner’s name pop up once a President has been hired.
As it stands, the hottest name linked to the Devils is former Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan. It seems like it might be a matter of time before Shanahan and Langenbrunner join forces in New Jersey.
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