Speculation: Who would you actually want as the next GM?

[SCMURRAY]

No rookie GM. Someone with experience in the role whose currently still active as say an executive. Gorton mentioned. Shero has been out of the game for a bit now. Bergevin currently an exec with LA. Holland mentioned as well. Heck, maybe even Roy. Hire Gallant as coach. I dunno

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Brett Peterson - Florida Asst. GM?

Was tasked with putting together the 2024 USMNT as well.

 

[MJF]

No rookie GM. Someone with experience in the role whose currently still active as say an executive. Gorton mentioned. Shero has been out of the game for a bit now. Bergevin currently an exec with LA. Holland mentioned as well. Heck, maybe even Roy. Hire Gallant as coach. I dunno

Roy would be a rookie GM.

 

[SCMURRAY]

Roy would be a rookie GM.

Yes true. Had his years in the Q on mind but yes he would be a rookie GM at nhl level

 

[steveat]

Either Nabakov, because it was an Islanders goalie was the one that built this successful, but old team

OR

Greg "The Nose" Pickard - We need to reward those that have been associated with the organization for so long

OR

SUPER Long shot - The "Sign Guy! - Dedication

 

[Torrey Redux]

No rookie GM. Someone with experience in the role whose currently still active as say an executive. Gorton mentioned. Shero has been out of the game for a bit now. Bergevin currently an exec with LA. Holland mentioned as well. Heck, maybe even Roy. Hire Gallant as coach. I dunno

I was and still am to some degree in the 'no rookie' camp but as I look at some of the names being mentioned, I am more and more thinking someone who is an experienced ( 3-5 years ) assistant GM for one of the premiere franchises like TB, FL, VGK, etc. Someone who has learned from best but also has worked for franchises not afraid to cut ties and hurt feelings.

 

[doublechili]

At first blush the retreads don't seem too appealing (except maybe McPhee, but at 67 is he even interested?). But maybe I could be sold on one of them (okay, maybe not Doug Wilson).

The successful Asst GM seems like a good route, except remember when Ron Hextall was that guy and then he was horrible without the "Asst" title?

I'll just have to trust the owners to get it right. If they can't, we're kind of screwed anyway, right?

 

[Torrey Redux]

At first blush the retreads don't seem too appealing (except maybe McPhee, but at 67 is he even interested?). But maybe I could be sold on one of them (okay, maybe not Doug Wilson).

The successful Asst GM seems like a good route, except remember when Ron Hextall was that guy and then he was horrible without the "Asst" title?

I'll just have to trust the owners to get it right. If they can't, we're kind of screwed anyway, right?

With every passing day that Lou remains in the GM's chair my trust in the owners getting it right erodes a little bit more.

It's the million dollar question though, isn't it? They're not hockey guys per se so who do they go to for advice besides Lou since he wears pretty much every hat in the org? Hell, they can't even hand it over to the Asst GM for the interim thing. Well, they could I suppose but that would be our worst nightmare.

 

[seabass45]

Steve Yzerman?

 

[doublechili]

With every passing day that Lou remains in the GM's chair my trust in the owners getting it right erodes a little bit more.

It's the million dollar question though, isn't it? They're not hockey guys per se so who do they go to for advice besides Lou since he wears pretty much every hat in the org? Hell, they can't even hand it over to the Asst GM for the interim thing. Well, they could I suppose but that would be our worst nightmare.

I'm fairly confident the owners would do their due diligence (probably have been looking into possibilities). They seem pretty innovative. I'd love to see them find a Howie Roseman type - super smart and active - making moves every year to maximize asset values and somehow getting very talented guys in lower draft spots.

Some names I haven't seen mentioned (or maybe I missed): Ryan Martin (NYR Asst GM) seems to check a lot of boxes - just not ever an NHL GM. Jason Botterill - he's pretty young and educated and has been an NHL GM (currently Asst GM with SEA). Gregory Campbell (Asst GM of FLA).

BTW, while very unlikely I also wouldn't be totally shocked to see them hire someone from outside hockey.

Chuck Fletcher was last GM in 2022-23. He is 57. No championships.

Fletcher has a Harvard degree - like our owners. Just saying.