Seravalli: 6 candidates to replace Stan Bowman in Chicago

On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks will begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered reputation after a stomach-churning investigation revealed executives buried sexual assault allegations so as to ‘not cause a distraction’ during the 2010 Stanley Cup – instead allowing serial predator and then-video coach Brad Aldrich to travel and celebrate with their team.

The fallout is fresh. More maddening questions remain than answers.

Still, the search for Stan Bowman’s replacement as president of hockey operations and general manager is expected to begin in earnest. The Blackhawks (0-5-1) need lots of help – both on and off the ice.

Here are six candidates who could succeed Bowman:

(listed in alphabetical order)

Kyle Davidson

Davidson, 33, was named interim GM in the wake of Tuesday’s report. CEO Danny Wirtz said a search will be conducted “for new hockey leadership,” but Davidson deserves a long look. The Sudbury, Ontario native is already in his 12th season in Chicago. He is young, sharp and detailed. His most recent title was vice president of hockey strategy and analytics, but he’s held nearly every position in the front office along the way. Davidson was a Blackhawks intern in 2009-10, hired full-time as hockey analytics and video analyst in 2010-11. Since then, he’s been promoted to hockey administration coordinator (2011), manager of hockey administration (2015), assistant GM (2018) and to his current role as vice president in 2020. Along the way, Davidson has overseen player contract negotiations, salary cap management and professional and amateur scouting. Perhaps Davidson, who is equipped to do the GM job, would be best paired with an experienced president of hockey operations to lean on.

Jeff Gorton

Gorton, 53, has always felt like the next man up for the first GM opening since his unceremonious firing by the New York Rangers in May. Gorton made quick work of the Rangers’ rebuild, acquiring Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and four additional first-round picks to bring Broadway back into the playoff conversation. Other executives around the NHL spoke very highly of their interactions with Gorton and his track record of success. This marks the first season Gorton has not been part of an NHL front office in 28 years. Currently serving as an analyst for NHL Network, Gorton spent six years as Rangers GM (2015-2021). Known best as a shrewd talent evaluator, Gorton was an assistant GM for 11 season with the Rangers and Bruins, also holding director of player personnel and director of scouting titles. It’d be a shock if the Blackhawks – in search of stability – do not interview Gorton, who is a strong leader, projects confidence and is a man of character.

Scott Mellanby

Mellanby, 55, has been knocking on the door of a GM job for a handful of years. He’s bound to break through. After a distinguished playing career that saw him skate in 1,431 NHL regular-season games, Mellanby was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues for two seasons (2010-12) before joining forces with former Blackhawks executive (and former teammate) Marc Bergevin in Montreal. Mellanby started as Canadiens director of player personnel, but has spent the last seven seasons as assistant general manager. Mellanby is a straight shooter, right to the point and he’s well-respected in the industry. He’s paid his dues. The only complicating factor may be that Bergevin is in the well-publicized final year of his contract in Montreal. Could Mellanby be the one to succeed him? He isn’t known to speak French, which would seemingly be a requirement in Montreal. That wouldn’t matter in the slightest in Chicago.

Bob Murray

Murray, 66, is in the last year of his contract as GM of the Anaheim Ducks, where he is the third-longest tenured manager in the league behind only David Poile and Blackhawks legend Doug Wilson. Murray knows the Wirtz family well. He’s one of the few men who has actually held the title of Blackhawks GM previously. His first stint was short, Murray was fired 22 games into his third season in Dec. 1999. There has to be some tug at the heart strings for Murray, who roamed the Hawks’ blue line for 15 seasons, to right that wrong. In Anaheim, the hockey lifer has led the Ducks to the playoffs nine times in 14 seasons and won six rounds, including to trips to the Western Conference Final (2015 and 2017). In Chicago, Murray would not only have the opportunity to return home, but he’d have resources available to him that he’s never had in Anaheim.

Jim Rutherford

Rutherford, 72, recently moved back to North Carolina where he helped the Hurricanes hang their only Stanley Cup banner. But he isn’t settling in for retirement. The competitive fire still rages on in Rutherford, who won another two Stanley Cups in the Steel City. The Hockey Hall of Famer departed the Penguins last season under somewhat surprising circumstances, choosing to resign in the middle of a Covid-19 ravaged campaign. His contract has now expired and Rutherford is a free agent. While player evaluation and acquisition – specifically making trades – has always been his strong suit, the thinking is at this point in his career, Rutherford might want to work as president of hockey ops in conjunction with a GM who can do a lot of the heavy lifting. Having Rutherford and his Stanley Cup pedigree on-board, showing someone like Davidson the ropes, could be a winning combination.

Kevin Weekes

Weekes, 46, was the runner-up for Pittsburgh’s president of hockey operations job that ultimately went to Brian Burke last February. Like pucks when he was a goaltender, there’s not much that gets past Weekes on the NHL circuit. He’s one of hockey’s most visible television analysts, he is well connected, and he has plenty of hockey and business savvy. Given that the Blackhawks have already shown that they’re interested in being progressive in hiring in their front office, with Jaime Faulkner as one of the few women in the NHL holding the president of business operations title, Weekes should be on Chicago’s short list. He may not have the front office experience, but his hockey acumen is unquestionable, and he can enhance Chicago’s brand and outreach in one of the most diverse cities in the country. No Black man has ever been an NHL GM, let alone a team president. No one has ever been more well positioned to topple that than Weekes.