Former NHL captain receives second interview for Wild GM position

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold continues to conduct his general manager search just two weeks after unceremoniously dumping former GM Paul Fenton.

Wild insider Michael Russo of The Athletic has already confirmed that former Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has interviewed for the position, as has former Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall. Now, Russo is reporting that Pittsburgh Penguins assistant-GM Bill Guerin has received a second interview for the position.

Check out these quotes from Russo’s latest column for The Athletic:

The Athletic has learned that Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin was in the Twin Cities on Thursday for his second interview before some candidates have even gotten their first.

Guerin, 48, also interviewed for the job last spring, but by the time he came in for his initial meeting, the Wild were well down the path toward eventually hiring Fenton. Guerin’s only previous relationship with Leipold was during the 2004-05 lockout when both men were on opposite sides of the negotiating committee. Guerin does have a good relationship with Modano, who was hired in May to advise Leipold and Majka on the business side of the Wild but has since been assisting in the process to hire Fenton’s successor.

Guerin, who was a formidable power forward during his 18 year playing career, has worked in the Penguins’ front office since 2011. He’s been the team’s assistant GM since 2014 and was instrumental in Penguins’ Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

The native of Willbraham, Massachusetts scored 429 goals and 856 points in 1263 career NHL games, split between eight different teams. He’s a two time Stanley Cup champion on the ice from his time with the Penguins and the New Jersey Devils.

Guerin, a former 400-goal power forward who played 18 years for eight teams, has worked in Pittsburgh’s front office since 2011. He started in player development and was elevated to become Jim Rutherford’s assistant GM in 2014. With Guerin in that role, the Penguins won Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 and he ultimately added GM of AHL Wilkes-Barre to his duties.