Don Sweeney, Paul Fenton, and The Great One

The Capitals’ search for a new general manager continues, and while the process is pretty hush-hush, some details have gotten out.

Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts column names several candidates for new Caps GM, including Don Sweeney, Paul Fenton, and Ray Shero. He also mentions that Wayne Gretzky could be brought in to run the organization:

10. Boston’s Peter Chiarelli might be getting lonely. It would be no surprise if he lost Benning and several sources indicate another valuable member of his staff, Don Sweeney, interviewed in Washington. (Chiarelli declined to comment).

11. Didn’t expect to hear much about the Capitals until after the NBA Wizards were eliminated, which happened late last week to Indiana. There were a lot of conflicting rumours about their openings, but Sweeney was interviewed and it sounds like Nashville’s [Assistant GM] Paul Fenton was too. (Glenn Healy reported last week Fenton also met with the Canucks). Of course, Shero’s availability alters everything. If he’d stayed in Pittsburgh and Bylsma was out, the belief was Shero would chase Barry Trotz, since they worked together in Nashville. It sure makes sense for Washington, but as I write this, there is no evidence it is close to reality.

12. The toughest part of this search is determining where things stand with Wayne Gretzky. There definitely were conversations, but it’s hard to pin down what’s happening. One of the considerations for Washington is who would run the organization with him. CSN Washington’s Chuck Gormley mentioned Sportsnet’s Doug MacLean, and it makes sense. Again, though, it’s tough to know for sure.

The Score says of Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeny :

Sweeney, a former NHL defenseman who spent 15 seasons playing for the Bruins during his playing career, oversees player development for the Bruins in addition to having “a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations of the hockey department” per Bruins.nhl.com.

That leaves us with a short, and probably not comprehensive list of candidates. Here’s a quick rundown on each.

Don Sweeney

• 47 years old
• Played over 1,115 NHL games, all but 63 for the Boston Bruins
• Worked for Bruins management since 2006
• Did not win the Cup as a player, name engraved as part of 2011 Bruins championship
• Was involved in that epic Boston-Caps brawl with Kolzig vs Defoe

Paul Fenton

• 54 years old
• Journeyman winger: Whalers, Rangers, Kings, Jets, Leafs, Flames, Sharks
• Served as Assistant GM of Nashville Predators for eight years
• No Cups, though he came close with the 2003 Ducks
• Mentored by former Caps GM David Poile
• Also serves as the General Manager of the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL

Ray Shero

• 51 years old
• Never played in the NHL
• Also served under David Poile in Nashville for eight years before becoming GM of Pittsburgh in 2006
• Won the Cup in 2009, mostly just by firing Michel Therrien
• Not the best drafter ever