Habs GM search: quick thoughts on Jim Nill

As you have no doubt heard by now, Detroit Red Wings Assistant General Manager Jim Nill declined the Canadiens GM job after multiple meetings and conversations with Geoff Molson. Apparently, these conversations began almost immediately after Pierre Gauthier’s dismissal.

Nill would have been a great GM, and I suspect he will be, one day, somewhere else. However, his wife is quite ill, and clearly it would not be the appropriate time for him him make the jump. That said, he had kind words for the Canadiens and the organizations approach to finding a replacement for Gauthier.

My thoughts: this is a good sign. Nill was an unpopular suggestion from the start, largely because he is not from Quebec. However, he’s a smart, focused, experienced hockey executive, and anyone in his mould would be a great choice.

So, the search continues, with the regular names surfacing (Brisebois, McGuire, Mackasey, Roy). In the interim, best to Mr. Nill and his wife and she continues her fight.

Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tuc/comments/habs_gm_search_quick_thoughts_on_jim_nill/

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