The Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes are the only teams in the NHL currently without general managers and both teams are interviewing similar candidates for their vacant positions.
Kevin Weekes, Mike Futa and Bill Armstrong are being considered by both teams, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported during Saturday Headlines on Hockey Night in Canada.
Weekes, a former NHL goalie, has been working in broadcasting since he retired from playing in 2009. Futa did not have his contract renewed by the Los Angeles Kings this spring after spending 13 years with the organization, most recently serving as assistant general manager to Rob Blake. Armstrong is currently the St. Louis Blues’ assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting, the latter being a title he’s held for 10 years.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Panthers are beginning to narrow down the candidates to replace Dale Tallon, who parted ways with the organization after the club failed to advance out of the qualifying round of the playoffs.
“Florida is getting close to cutting down its list,” Friedman said Saturday. “The head coach, Joel Quenneville, is expected to become more involved in the process as they do this.”
While Weeks, Futa and Armstrong are being considered, Johnston added that the Coyotes are also going to let current interim general manager Steve Sullivan interview for the job. Sullivan was the team’s assistant general manager before John Chayka parted ways with the club in July.
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