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From pipe dream to reality? Latest on Dubas and Tulsky |
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The Fenway Sports Group is currently looking for replacements for Ron Hextall and Brian Burke. There have been a lot of names that have popped up, some great, some awful, and some in-between. Now that the process is moving towards a conclusion it is looking like FSG is heading in the right direction. The candidates you are hearing more about are the kind of candidates I would take a chance on.
However, it’s a candidate without ties to the Penguins that seems to have aced his interviews. Eric Tulsky, the Hurricanes assistant GM, impressed FSG brass — specifically at an in-person meeting with Henry and chairman Tom Werner, said a Penguins team source granted anonymity by The Athletic because they are not permitted to speak publicly about the process.
This is promising. Eric Tulsky might not leave the Hurricanes, but the fact the Penguins are impressed with him and are having extended meetings is promising. Tom Dundon is the Hurricanes owner and has some weird views on contracts. In that he doesn’t believe in them… or does so very loosely
A few years back Don Waddell interviewed with the Minnesota Wild for their vacant general manager position. This is
when the following quotes came out
"Even if he had a contract I would let him interview," Dundon said. "It's not going to stop somebody from doing whatever's best for them. If they're going to pay somebody more money, I'm not going to stop them. I told him he's got to do what's best for him."
"Tom doesn't believe in a lot of contracts," Waddell said. "Tom's told me I have a job for life. But he's also encouraged me to explore other opportunities to see what the market will pay. We started something here, I love it here, but when the job opened up and Tom said you should explore it, that's what I'm doing."
Long story short getting Tulsky out of Carolina might be as simple as giving him job security that is also comes with a great salary. The thing with the NHL’s salary cap is that is only counts for the player’s contracts. There is nothing stopping FSG from loading up their front office and enticing candidates with great pay. It seems like there could be a very clear path for something like that to happen given Tom Dundon’s views on things.
If the Penguins brass are impressed with Eric Tulsky the way the article suggests then make him an offer he can’t refuse. He is the type of candidate the team desperately needs whether they are in a compete now mode or a rebuild.
As for Dubas
The Penguins were willing to offer Dubas full control of their hockey operations department. With FSG looking to hire at least a GM and president of hockey operations, it’s possible the Penguins could look to bring in Dubas as president of hockey ops and Tulsky as GM. The Penguins may also be simply doing due diligence on Dubas, despite being deep into their search.
What was once a pipe dream now looks like the chances are greater than zero. Pretty great news if you ask me.
Thanks for reading!
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