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Anaheim Ducks future management: Who is Bob Murray’s heir apparent as GM?

By Ed Stein

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 24: Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks poses after being named NHL General Manager of the Year during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 24: Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks poses after being named NHL General Manager of the Year during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Clayton Phillips meets with assistant general manager Bill Guerin after being selected 93rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2017 NHL Draft. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Bill Guerin

I am a huge fan of Bill Guerin the player. His contributions and dedication to representing the United States on the ice earned my respect. Then there are his two cups and 856 points, tallied in the NHL. Guerin isn’t on the list because of what he did as a player, but it doesn’t hurt either.

The USA Hockey Hall of Fame member has been working in the Pittsburgh Penguins front office since 2011, starting as their player development coach. Guerin was promoted to Assistant GM in June of 2014. He has been part of two Stanley Cup Championship winning teams since then. Guerin was a contender for the recently vacant Sabres GM job (which went to another Pens staffer Jason Botterill).

In a recent article for The Athletic, Craig Custance had Guerin among his top Assistants GMs ready to be promoted. Current Pens GM Jim Rutherford told Custance:

“He came into hockey ops as a character player with good leadership qualities and in a short period of time, he’s learned how the hockey ops works.”

“He is ready to take that next step. He’s really good with analytics. He’s good on contracts. He’s good on the CBA. He played the game, understands the game and is good at evaluating talent.”

Teemu Selanne

It’s odd to think of Selanne as an external candidate, but he has no formal role with the team. Now a restaurant owner, members of Ducks Nation know Teemu Selanne is both the best player in Anaheim Ducks history as well as it’s most popular. The first word that comes to mind when his name comes up is “legend.” Who wouldn’t want a legend running their club?

He is also the most loved hockey player in his home country. So popular, he was once named the sexiest man in Finland. Does that make him GM material? Not necessarily, but his outgoing and friendly manner, make him a man that people get along with. That is an important quality when dealing with the modern athlete.

Selanne has some management experience as an adviser to Team Finland since 2016. He considers Colorado GM Joe Sakic as one of his best friends. The Finnish Flash obviously has some grade A connections in the sport. The bigger question is whether he’d want to give up his current life and take on an extremely challenging role running the Ducks?

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