Nick Saban Involved in Predators GM Hiring Process
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast with Kyle Bukauskas went over the general manager vacancy following the New Jersey Devils hiring Sunny Mehta. They arrived in Nashville and Friedman revealed that the Predators did a lot of interviews, but minority owner Nick Saban was more involved in the process than first thought.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Bukauskas: “Okay, so Nashville, in the end, didn't prove everyone wrong during the third year in a row, the GM search continues to look for them. And, again, there's quietly, and you've touched on this a few times, like, how does the new ownership, Bill Haslam, feel about the way the team is going or wants to go? So we gave an update on where things are.”
NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils
Friedman: “I think among the people who interviewed for the GM job, there was an internal candidate, Jeff Kealty, but I think they didn't come in. I think they wanted to come out. But there was also Darren York from Carolina, and there was Brett Peterson from Florida, and there was Bill Scott from Edmonton, and I, I believe they are going to interview Tom Fitzgerald, but I think next week I know exactly. Know when
I believe that in this personal round, Nick Saban played a very big role. Like, I think you're asking questions. I think he's ranking the candidates, and, it's very clear, from what I've heard, that he has, boy has he been very successful. It's not all apples to apples, Alabama Football and the Nashville Predators, but he has an idea of what makes someone successful, and he wants to see it. And I've heard some of the conversations have been great.
I heard someone tell me that the rumor was that Bill Scott's interview was good. But apparently, though, there's no answer, and they're looking to talk to a few people, so we'll see. I think Fitzgerald, everybody feels like the first team captain, feels a connection there, and wants this job. So we'll see what happens when he gets in there, and where we go from here.
Also, Ryan Martin is a really interesting guy. Worked in Detroit. Worked with the Rangers. Two years ago, he was a really hot candidate, and his stock was really rising. And it goes to show you that Ranger has been around for two years, even if it's gone like the last two. And, I always say, I don't think people are just stupid. We're just a results-oriented business, and we focus on results. So this is a big opportunity for him, too. So we'll see where this all goes.”
NHL Rumors: Canucks, Maple Leafs, Devils, Panthers, and Predators
NHLRumors.com Note: It's no surprise to see Nick Saban be a part of the process. You are a winner. Even though it was in the world of college football, he has standards. He also keeps to himself. Those standards are currently lacking for the Nashville Predators. There's a reason he came in when he came in in December, and shortly after that Barry Trotz talked to management about stepping down. Saban has a different idea of how the Predators should do things.
Although Tom Fitzgerald is still leading the clubhouse, it would be good if they don't repeat the same mistake of giving someone a job because he was already there as a player. In order for the Nashville Predators to turn this around, they need to hire someone with experience who has succeeded at this level or at least made a deep run in the playoffs.
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