Penguins GM Search: And Then There Were???

A quicky update on the Penguins’ GM search. According to a report by Pierre LeBrun, Hurricanes assistant GM Eric Tulsky has been removed from consideration despite making a strong impression during the interview process. Devils assistant GM and former black-and-gold staffer Dan MacKinnon has been eliminated as well.

Former Toronto GM Kyle Dubas (pictured above) is among the finalists, along with Stars director of strategy Steve Greeley and Lightning director of hockey operations Mathieu Darche. Although their names haven’t surfaced much in reports, apparently Kraken assistant GM and former Pens exec Jason Botterill and John Chayka, former Arizona GM and one-time wunderkind, are still in the running.

It should be noted that Fenway Sports Group will likely hire a replacement for Brian Burke along with a new GM. Although nothing’s cast in stone, it’s believed Dubas and Chayka might be the front runners for the president of hockey operations slot.

Chayka’s emergence is a bit of a surprise, given a checkered past that includes some NHL rules violations and other shady dealings. Although regarded as a brilliant hockey mind, I’m not sure he’s the guy I want running the show regardless of position.

It’s believed FSG is hoping to make final decisions this week.

Stay tuned.