4 Penguins GM Possibilities; 1 Checks All the Boxes
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the first full week of their GM search. Or they are in the first full week of their hunt for a president of hockey operations who will hire the GM. FSG, the Penguins ownership group, ranged from non-committal to unsure of the process forward in a press conference last Friday.
It will likely be a few more days before actual candidates are known, but PHN has been digging through hockey contacts to find out who insiders feel is ready for the job, who deserves a second chance, and who is not.
Saturday, Dave Molinari published a preliminary name of six potential Penguins GM candidates, including Jason Botterill.
Today, we’ll add one rising star who is ready now, one who might be on her way, one dark horse, and one controversial candidate who could be perfect.
Checks All Boxes: Steve Greeley
First, the rising star is Dallas Stars’ director of player strategies, scouting, and development, Steve Greeley. His job is a combination of analytics and eye tests. At 41, he’s young enough to have the energy and vitality to oversee what could be a tumultuous few years.
And the few years after that could be not so fun, either.
Greeley has strong connections to Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. He was a Boston U. player and returned as an associate coach under one of Sullivan’s great friends, David Quinn. A league source told PHN that Greeley and Sullivan are also close.
Since FSG splashed a five-year extension on Sullivan last year and called him “terrific” last Friday, it certainly behooves them to hire a GM who could work well with the Penguins coach.
Greeley was also Jason Botterill’s assistant GM in Buffalo from 2017-20. A hockey source told PHN he was significantly involved in the 2018 draft when Buffalo took Rasmus Dahlin first overall and Mattias Samuelsson with the 32nd overall pick. Samuelsson has already played 109 NHL games.
Greeley was also involved in the Sabres 2017 draft, with Casey Mittelstadt taken eighth overall, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen 54th overall, and Jacob Bryson 99th.
Correction: Greeley started with Dallas in January 2022. He was not a part of the Stars A+ draft in 2021 as the original version noted.
In the same time frame, from 2017 through 2022, the Penguins received only seven NHL games from draft picks.
Greeley also was a scout for the Kings and worked in the Rangers’ front office.
A combination of analytics and hockey savvy, with successful drafts and Boston blood, seems like a grand slam.
Controversial Option: John Chayka
Chayka was the NHL’s wunderkind when he became the GM of the Arizona Coyotes in 2016 at age 26. Arizona again became a playoff team after a few good drafts, a few good trades, free-agent signings, and hiring a good coach (Rick Tocchet).
However, perhaps Chayka’s youth caught up with him. He was caught speaking with the New Jersey Devils’ owners about a management position that may have included the New York Mets and lying to Coyotes ownership about it. He voided his contract days before the 2020 Stanley Cup bubble began and was also found to have hosted private workouts for prospects, a severe violation of NHL rules.
The Devils’ owners were no longer interested, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Chayka for all of 2021 because of “conduct detrimental to the league.”
Arizona was docked a second-rounder in 2020 and a first-round pick in 2021 for the private workouts. However, Chayka held firm in leaving Arizona and blamed ownership for a sour relationship.
Chayka worked wonders in Arizona. Perhaps a little distance, more maturity, and forgiveness could land the Pittsburgh Penguins a wunderkind GM.
Buying Early: Emilie Castonguay
Within the next 10 years, there will be a female GM in the NHL. Perhaps before one is forced to use a sledgehammer on the glass ceiling, Emilie Castonguay will get a serious look from the Penguins.
She’s a former player agent who represented several big names, including 2020 top overall pick Alex Lafreniere and Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph, who raved about her to PHN last fall. Joseph called her “like a mom.”
After beginning her career in 2016, she clearly had a knack for landing top talent and was the only female NHLPA-certified agent. So, she probably has a little experience with the boys club, too.
She played college hockey at Niagara from 2005-09 and interned with Montreal Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier before attending law school. Colleague Kevin Allen wrote a profile story on her back in 2020.
In 2021, she became the Vancouver Canucks AGM under GM Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford. She’s probably a year or three from being ready, but maybe not. Her skill sets already included being a good negotiator and capologist, and the Penguins could surely use a GM aware of the salary cap.
Castonguay also works with another woman who will be a GM candidate soon, Cammi Granato, who was also hired as a Canucks AGM last summer.
If Chayka can get a GM gig at 26, why not Castonguay, who is a decade older? If a person has the talent, they have it.
Dark Horse: Mike Gillis
Gillis was a finalist for the NHLPA directorship in March, so he’s still out there.
He was heavily criticized at the end of his tenure in Vancouver in 2014, especially for a few of his final trades. He dared trade top goalie Corey Schneider to New Jersey for the ninth overall pick in 2013.
Historical footnote: He used that to select Bo Horvat, which worked out pretty well.
However, he didn’t replace Schneider and ate some of Roberto Luongo’s 12-year deal when he dealt Luonog to Florida. In hindsight, we know Canucks ownership was heavily involved in signing Luongo for a dozen years, and Gillis did a good job of escaping from the deal as much as possible.
Prior to the end, however, Canucks fans were thrilled
Otherwise, Gillis’ track record was stellar. Division titles, playoff appearances, and a Stanley Cup Final. He worked to build a team around the aging Sedin twins. Sound familiar?
He’s been out of the GM game for eight seasons, so perhaps he’s a better candidate for president of hockey ops. However, as a GM, he did not lack aggressiveness, which the next Pittsburgh Penguins GM will need if the team hopes to undo the last couple of years of bad contracts and aging.
Categorized:Penguins Penguins GM Search
Steve Greeley sounds interesting. One of the worst mistakes the past GM made was trying square pegs in round holes. Maybe a GM that would work with the coach, and bring in players that match that style wouldn’t be bad. Especially since it seems the core also want Sullivan around.
Isn’t including Sullivan in the decisions moving forward a “fox in the henhouse” thing? My view is that coaching was more of a problem than roster construction and he was involved in both. Hextall’s GM decisions didn’t lose all those third period leads.
This G.M. hire will determine their fate for at least a decade. It is not their job to be the ones to “break the glass ceiling”, rather it is to hire the person who will get them back to the Cup!
Leah Hextall and Jen Boterill are my picks. Just to get them off the airwaves would be a yuge win-win for hockey fans everywhere. #Hexed
Speaking of getting off the airwaves… ugh… the broadcast team of EDM-LAK was horrendous (sorry). I like Buccigross and I like Weekes but… not calling NHL-level hockey. Ouch. Was John Forslund unavailable?
Hockey coverage in the USA has always been inferior to that north of the border, but ESPN drags it to a low never seen/heard before here.
JF calling Kraken games
Yeah, I know. And he’s great at it. Weekes was better last night for what I saw but it wasn’t EDM and he wasn’t with Buccigross.
Yeah just what we need in hockey is a female GM mother image. Isn’t it enough we have them in the booths announcing and on NHL Network. Maybe they should dress more professional and appropriately on air and not wear short dresses etc on TV. Can’t men have any sport to themselves anymore? Guess not! Guess they think it helps their ratings! 🙄
Now tell Edith to go make you a sandwich and yell at your son-in-law, “Meathead.”
Thank you, Barb. I thought the first was the most ridiculous comment on PHN this season, but you claimed victory.
Why is it always…well he’s close with Sullivan or he’s friends with Crosby or Mario plays golf with the guy or she babysits Letangs kids…Man just hire the right PERSON for a change
Totally agree they need blood Sullivan is not a good fit anymore so if he stays we will get more of the same.
That’s why I, in Walter Mitty-style daydreams, think it’d be fun to see either Sutter or Torts behind the bench.
Interesting Dan, A major reason for Penguins failure is this idiot Sullivan? Bring in someone that knows Sully, and you wonder why this organization is going to make the Pirates look like a Powerhouse! Oldest, softest, small, no Cap, no prospects organization?
yep I agree, we don’t need anymore kum ba yah sing around the camp fire and hold hands stuff !
If that’s all you took from the paragraphs on Greeley, I failed. An AGM heading up scouting and analytics who has overseen some very good drafts? The Sullivan relationship is only a bonus.
A bonus you say…
What does being “like a mom” have to do with being a GM? I want someone with a great deal of experience AND success in the area. Someone who is familiar with the Penguins players and the organization. I don’t necessarily need someone who is close to Sullivan either. We don’t have the luxury of breaking anybody in. Just hire the most qualified person for the job.
Sallie, Agree because she’s young herself. Some real hitters not mentioned. Gillis, never thought about, but interesting though. I would love someone that has been with successful organization and still young. Love the Asst GM from Bolts, Avs, Bruins and Leafs plus Dumas in interesting situation.
Sallie, yes she’s a young women herself. Would love to see a hitter from a winning organization. Like Asst GMS from Bolts, Avs, Bruins. Gillis was interesting though. Dubas in a crazy situation and would like. No contract now? Trevling from Flames I would like to talk with. He just quit because of a bad Coach.
It meant she was very good at her job and cared about her people.
General Manager Mario Lemieux
None of the listed please. No thank you
The only scenario under which Greeley’s close ties to Sullivan is a bonus is if you think the Pens under Sullivan’s guidance are capable of competing for the Cup starting next year. I say that because Sullivan himself thinks these players following his system are close to competing. That’s delusional thinking! This coach, his system, and his bias FOR veterans and bias against youth are all part of the problem that must be expunged from this organization. Fire the coach….wrong guy at this particular stage of the transformation. Bring in a free-thinking, smart, analytics-driven GM who is prepared to do… Read more »
I’m OK with FSG taking its time on evaluating Sullivan, but I think everyone needs to be prepared that he likely isn’t going anywhere until the end of his deal. I think a clean sweep should be undertaken but… shrug… my opinion doesn’t matter. At least, for those folks who think he should be let go, those points can be made for the next few years. 🙂
I think we are looking at 2 hires. Director of hockey operations and that person will hire the new GM. I think we may be looking at this whole hiring process upside down. Two persons or more will need to be hired to make up for the three fired.
That makes sense to me. Maybe they’re talking about GMs because there’s a larger pool and there’s known information about who might be available? I certainly hope they’re not asking the Coach about who to hire as a GM and then asking the GM who they should hire as DHO.
In an ordinary world, I think you’re correct, Michael. However, FSG is a corporation and not necessarily going to do things as we expect. We know they will hire a GM, and that is the easier part to deal with — above the GM, is anybody’s guess.
Dee Rizzo is the man for the job . After all, he brought us Sid the kids
First of all Hulsky will be kicked upstairs as Waddle will be made President of hockey operations ..Bowman will not be allowing back in the league..thank God..Not sure Botterill wants the job..this would be a tough sell for a first time GM regardless of the sex…I wonder if Treviling would be given an interview..
Joke choice: Pierre McGuire. Serious choices for interviews: The ones mentioned in the article and Jamie Langenbrunner. Kevin Weekes or Sam Ventura should be considered as AGM. Final choice: GM Botterill, AGM Ventura.
Marc Bergevin. Got Canadiens to Stanley Cup Final in 2021. Currently a senior adviser to the Los Angeles Kings, who are doing very well this season and into the playoffs. Why not?
I think Bergevin was burned out at the end of his tenure. It might be a while longer before he’s back in the ring.
Greeley seems to make sense and I’d be very interested in Castonguay, yet I still haven’t heard any mention, any where about my #1 choice – Eric Tulsky (Asst. GM of Carolina). Just look at his educational background (smart as a whip) and look how the Hurricanes have done year in and year out since he’s been there – the drafts, the free agent acquisitions, the trades and keeping that team a Stanley Cup contender year in and year out.
You make a good case. None of my people have yet brought him up. But I’ll do some digging.
As a full STM to the Coyotes, trust me. You do not want to touch Chayka with a 10ft pole. The guy wrecked the franchise that was in a rebuild- pretty hard to do. The only reason the Yotes made the playoffs was b/c they expanded it to 24 teams during 2020 COVID. They never finished in the top half of the league in terms of points percentage. I’m not opposed to a female GM, but the choice should not be made b/c a player said “she’s like a mom”. Greeley is indeed an intriguing prospect despite having worked under… Read more »
Lets hope there’s better names to come….Geez
Hockey folks are chattering about a couple of those names. They’re the next wave. There aren’t better.