Best available general managers for the new Seattle franchise
The NHL will soon be getting its 32nd franchise when Seattle gets their team. Who are their best choices for the coveted spot of general manager?
This past December the NHL granted Seattle the league’s 32nd franchise. They will begin to play in the 2021-22 season. The franchise which will play their home games at the new Seattle Center is owned by the Oak View Group, which is anchored by David Bonderman, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tim Leiwecke, is now tasked with finding a General Manager for the new franchise before the Expansion Draft.
There are quite a few good General Managers currently on the market. They will hope to capture some of the magic George McPhee was able to perform with the Vegas Golden Knights. Here’s a look at six potential candidates to become Seattle’s first general manager.
Ken Holland
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Current position: GM of the Detroit Red Wings
Age: 63
Holland has been the GM of the Detroit Red Wings since 1997. He has overseen four Stanley Cup-winning teams (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008). At the moment, Holland is signed through the 2020-21 season after signing a two-year extension.
However, he is believed to possibly be on the way out due to the availability of former Lightning GM and Detroit Red Wing Steve Yzerman. Holland has to be seen as a front-runner after the success he has experienced in Detroit over the last two decades.
Dean Lombardi
Current position: Free Agent
Age: 60
After joining the San Jose Sharks as GM in 1996, Lombardi oversaw the acquisition of players such as Owen Nolan, Teemu Selanne, and Mike Ricci. He was also responsible for drafting Patrick Marleau.
After being fired by the Sharks in 2003 he was hired by Philadelphia before ultimately becoming GM for the Los Angeles Kings in 2006. While with the Kings he drafted Drew Doughty, Jeff Carter, and Mike Richards.
With his help the Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 before he was terminated in 2017. Lombardi currently works for the Philadelphia Flyers organization but does have connections with the Leiwecke family from his days with the Kings. His connections with the ownership group makes him a top candidate.
Peter Chiarelli
Current Position: Free Agent
Age: 54
Peter Chiarelli was recently terminated by the Edmonton Oilers after they crawled to a 23-24-3 record for the first half of the season and only one playoff appearance during his tenure. After being hired in 2015 Chiarelli oversaw the drafting of superstar Connor McDavid but had not been able to build a winner around him.
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Prior to joining Edmonton, Chiarelli was the GM of the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. He helped win a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. His experience and success make him an ideal candidate as well as the fact he will be one of the younger candidates available for the Seattle franchise.
Ron Hextall
Current Position: Free Agent
Age: 54
Ron Hextall most recently served as GM of the Flyers from 2014 until this past November. The former Flyers Goaltender oversaw the drafting of players such as Nolan Patrick and Ivan Provorov but was terminated after a 10-12-2 start.
Hextall had previously been Assistant GM for the Los Angeles Kings from 2006-2013 including when the franchise won the Stanley Cup in 2012. He also has connections to the Leiweke family. Also, like Chiarelli, Hextall is still young in terms of General Managers, which could work in his favor.
Mike Gillis
Current Position: Free Agent
Age: 60
While he hasnt served as a GM since 2014, Gillis has already stated interest in the Seattle General Manager position. Given his close ties to Seattle NHL COO Victor DeBonis, Gillis may have a leg up on the competition.
Having been GM of the Vancouver Canucks from 2008 to 2014, Gillis saw the franchise reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011. During his tenure, the Canucks went to five playoff appearances and traded Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider in 2014. this ultimately led to his termination.
Gillis could be the front runner given his open interest in the position as well as his ties to the organization already.
Kelly McCrimmon
Current Position: Vegas Golden Knights Assistant GM
Age: 58
Currently the assistant GM of the Vegas Golden Knights, McCrimmon was part of the first Expansion Team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since the 1967-68 St. Louis Blues. McCrimmon’s role during the Vegas Golden Knight’s first season could be intriguing to an expansion team looking to make a run in their first season.
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The Seattle franchise is still two seasons away from beginning play and haven’t even determined a name yet. One thing is for certain though they will have their pick of the liter so to speak when it comes to picking their first General Manager.