Blackhawks CEO Rocky Wirtz issues an update on GM interviews

Chicago Blackhawks CEO Rocky Wirtz issued an update today on his team's ongoing search for a new general manager, stating essentially that the team has concluded its interviews of candidates and will now move to the next step of the hiring process. 

I take this to mean that no new candidates will be interviewed, but the list of candidates will likely be shortlisted and further interviews will be conducted with those individuals.

So far we know that the Blackhawks have interviewed interim GM Kyle Davidson, former Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Eric Tulsky, longtime NHL executive Scott Mellanby and former Chicago Cubs executive Jeff Greenberg. The team also interviewed Toronto Raptors executive Teresa Resch, but it's believed that Resch declined to proceed in the interviewing process.

So... how do we feel about these candidates, Blackhawks fans? 

One of these men is likely to become your next GM. Chiarelli is obviously the most experienced in the general manager role but... well... let's just say that aside from his Stanley Cup victory he doesn't have the best track record. Talk to any Bruins or Oilers fans about Chiarelli and you'll get pretty scathing reviews.

Both Darche and Tulsky have been instrumental in the Lightning's and Hurricanes' rise to the top of the NHL and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get a shot as a full-time NHL GM. Mellanby though is probably the best choice in my opinion. After retiring from the NHL in 2007, Mellanby spent three seasons alongside Mike Gillis with the Vancouver Canucks and helped build the team into a powerhouse. He then spent a couple seasons behind the bench as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues and since 2014 has been director of player development for the Montreal Canadiens until he resigned earlier this season.

Whomever the Blackhawks choose, it's likely to be one of the above mentioned executives. To me, all signs point toward a rebuild in Chicago and personally I think one of Darche, Tulsky or Mellanby would be an excellent fit.