When listing off people ready for a chance to serve as an NHL general manager, Paul Fenton’s name is likely to come up. He’s been with the Nashville Predators since the beginning and is participating in his eighth season as an assistant general manager.
He’s looking to move up though and with Predators GM David Poile not going anywhere, the general manager opening in Buffalo is very tempting.
“I believe that I’m ready,” Fenton told the Tennessean. “I’m hoping somebody else does.”
Poile is supportive of Fenton’s ambitions to the point where he’s reached out to new Sabres president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine. So far though, Fenton hasn’t been approached by Buffalo.
Among Fenton’s more noteworthy accomplishments has been his success as a leader in the Predators’ drafts from 2003-08. In 2003 alone, Nashville selected defensemen Ryan Suter, Kevin Klein, and Shea Weber. The Predators also got some late round gems during that stretch, including goaltender Pekka Rinne (eighth round, 2004) and Patric Hornqvist (seventh round, 2005).
Fenton ascended to his current role after Poile’s previous right-hand man, Ray Shero, took over as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ general manager.
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Who will LaFontaine hire as Buffalo’s next GM?