Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed the Nashville Predators’ General Manager (GM) search on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, indicating that the team is still in the process of interviewing additional candidates. Despite initial speculation about Darren Yorke, Friedman suggests that the Predators are not moving forward with that hire and are looking to speak with one or two more individuals.
Among the potential candidates, Ryan Johnson was mentioned as someone the Predators were keen to interview, particularly due to his offseason residence in Tennessee. However, Johnson recently received a significant contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks after their Calder Cup victory, which may have complicated the Predators’ pursuit. Friedman noted that it’s unclear whether the Predators were specifically waiting for Johnson or if they have other candidates in mind.
The search is characterized by a desire to find the optimal fit for the team’s future. It’s understood that minority owner Nick Saban has been actively involved in the interview process, and some candidates have not entirely impressed the ownership group. This suggests that the Predators are prioritizing a strong candidate who aligns with their vision, even if it means a longer search.
Reports indicate that the Predators are considering individuals still competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team’s deliberate approach suggests they are determined to make the right decision to guide the franchise forward.
English Translation:
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday. There, he was asked about the Nashville Predators General Manager and said they are still interviewing a couple more candidates.
Gord Stellick: “So do you think Nashville is going to follow suit? Is David Legwand going to be the guy? Or what’s going on there?”
Elliotte Friedman: “Nashville, I’ve got to tell you, this one has driven me a bit crazy trying to figure out what’s going on there. I do think, like there were some rumors yesterday that they were going to be hiring Darren Yorke, who’s one of the AGMs in Carolina. I don’t believe that to be true.
I do believe that Nashville was still potentially waiting to talk to one or two more people. I suspect one of them was Ryan Johnson if he didn’t get the Vancouver job, because he lives in Tennessee in the offseason. So there was a local connection there.
And earlier in the process, they wanted to speak to him, but it depends on who. I think there’s a bit of semantics. Johnson got a big extension in Vancouver after the Abbotsford Canucks won the Calder Cup last year. And I think as part of that, Vancouver was like, ‘No.’ He stayed.
So I don’t know if this means that they were waiting for him, and now that he’s not getting hired, they go back to another one of their candidates, or they still have someone else to talk to. But I was under the impression that, up until yesterday, Nashville was still planning on talking to somebody.”
Note: The Nashville Predators GM search continues, but they are trying to find the right person to bring them into the future. Again, even though Nick Saban is a minority owner, he has been in these interviews, and some of these candidates have not blown them away. He has more influence than was first believed.
There was a report that the Predators want to talk to one or two more people who are still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you go by what Saban and Nashville are looking for, you could circle a team in the Eastern Conference Final and one in the Western Conference second round. If they thought one of the candidates they liked was the guy, they would have hired them by now.
But the Predators want to get this right.
