Member of the Steve Dangle Podcast Network listed as possible candidate for vacant GM job

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Liam
November 3, 2023 (3:39 PM)

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In the last few weeks, the Ottawa Senators franchise seemed to crumble from their high offseason expectations to a familiar reality of being a non-competitive team. Injuries and poor coaching decisions are plaguing the team's on-ice performance, and Pinto's suspension as well as the Dadonov trade penalty are off-ice distractions. With a new owner in Michael Andlauer, the decision was made swiftly to fire general manager Pierre Dorion.

Now, the search for a new GM is underway with the utmost importance. For a team in a critical position such as the Sens, full of young talent but unable to put it together for success, the new GM will need to quickly evaluate and change their roster. New reports are now emerging of candidates being considered for the GM position, with the hiring being done by President Steve Staios.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun recently revealed the litany of candidates currently under consideration for the job. It includes a few significantly interesting names - all for different reasons. The current candidates are: current AGM Ryan Bowness, the Lightning's Mathieu Darche, former GMs in Peter Chiarelli and John Ferguson Jr, and even current notorious player agent Allan Walsh.

A few names on the list, including Bowness and Darche, could be savvy hires for the Senators. On the other hand, the two former GMs in Chiarelli and Ferguson have only proven time and again their inability to construct a winning team.

Finally, and perhaps most notably, the Sens are considering the agent Allan Walsh. Often known for being outspoken for players' rights and representing Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Huberdeau, Walsh would be an unorthodox hire as GM. However, it's not unprecedented - Canadiens GM Kent Hughes was also a player agent prior to being GM.