Despite getting permission from the Montreal Canadiens to interview assistant general manager Scott Mellanby for their open general manager position, the Pittsburgh Penguins won’t be interviewing him, according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie. The scribe writes that Mellanby spoke to Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin Sunday and informed him that he’s happy in Montreal and wants to enjoy the team’s success and will not interview for any job in the near future.
That’s a big blow to Pittsburgh who had narrowed down their job search to just a handful of candidates with Mellanby and Los Angeles’ Ron Hextall at the forefront. The team is also reportedly expected to give interim general manager Patrik Allvin an interview. Earlier today, it was reported that the Rangers would allow assistant general manager Chris Drury to interview for the post, if asked by Pittsburgh, which hadn’t happened as of Saturday afternoon.
Mellanby has worked for the Canadiens since 2012, but has no experience as a NHL general manager. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2014 and has been mentioned as a candidate for several GM positions, many of which he turned down interviews with. Mellanby did play five-plus seasons as a player in Pennsylvania, but for the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
Hextall is the best choice of the names named so far, in that he did a great job rebuilding the Flyers, but…Pens are in a different window.
Seriously, why not Ray Shero?
He got stale by the end of his run here, but…that was ages ago and I don’t see anyone better who could step in and try to win now.
I think the big question is how much leeway will the new GM get and how long the existing window remains open. Obviously with Crosby and Malkin you always feel you’ve got a chance so for the next couple years you go for it. Then it’s a rebuild that will likely take 2-3 years.
So if the club is willing to stick with a GM for 7-8 years to oversee both parts, then grab the best overall guy. Otherwise sign the guy who’s style beer fits what you want to do and change it up in a few years. Basically what MLB teams who hire Dombrowski do.