Nuggets on Penguins GM Search; Multiple Teams Denied Permission

The Pittsburgh Penguins GM search is a wide net tossed over the hockey world with input from many sources, some well beyond a hockey scope. As many candidates have emerged, a few high-profile names have been debated, and a few teams blocked the Penguins from interviewing their people.

PHN has learned some surprising tidbits regarding the process. While one may have thought Fenway Sports Group would be secretive in its process, the number of people it has contacted, asked, or consulted extends beyond a small list of potential candidates. FSG sought counsel from many with industry knowledge, simply asking something akin to, “Who would you like to see as president and GM?”

In that process, sources tell the Hockey Now network that FSG has confirmed to people in the industry that Eric Tulsky and John Chayka are indeed high on FSG’s list. FSG was undeterred over Chayka’s checkered past with the Arizona Coyotes, instead focusing on his unique background of analytics and experience.

Tulsky’s Carolina Hurricanes are still playing hockey, losing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final in quadruple OT. He has been the head of Carolina’s analytics team for four years and its assistant general manager.

Both are believed to still be in the running for a role in the front office.

Word in the FSG offices is that John Henry also consulted former Red Sox GM and Cubs president Theo Epstein, who helped both teams end nearly century-long World Series title droughts. Henry famously hired the then-29-year-old Epstein as the Red Sox GM in 2002 after failing to lure Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane. Epstein was on the cutting edge of analytics and initiated sweeping changes that led to Boston’s 2004 World Series win, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.”

Epstein also led a turnaround of the Chicago Cubs as they won the 2016 World Series, their first since 1908. In 2020, Epstein joined Major League Baseball as a consultant.

FSG may have narrowed its search, as perspective candidates report feeling out of the process.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet used his 32 Thoughts podcast to report the Calgary Flames are playing hardball with Brad Treliving. Despite the former Flames GM and the team mutually parting and his contract expiring next month, Calgary denied permission for FSG to speak with Treliving until after his deal is done on June 30.

Another person Pittsburgh Penguins ownership asked to speak with but were denied is New York Rangers AGM Ryan Martin. The Chicago Blackhawks also said no when the Penguins asked about their assistant GM, Jeff Greenberg.

Multiple National Hockey Now reporters contributed to this report.