Report: TV Analyst Pierre McGuire In The Running For Lightning GM Position

A report has confirmed that NBC/TSN analyst Pierre McGuire is in the running for the Tampa Bay Lightning's open general manager position. According to John Boruk of CSN Philadelphia, McGuire has interviewed twice for the job.

A year ago, McGuire was reportedly in the running to become the next general manager of the Minnesota Wild. Here's what Minneapolis Star-Tribune writer Michael Russo had to say at the time.

McGuire is an intriguing choice and would be following the blueprint set by St. Louis (John Davidson) and Chicago (Dale Tallon), which took men from the broadcast booth to run their franchises.

[...]

Since 1995, he has been in the broadcast booth and is considered one of the most passionate, well-spoken broadcasters in the NHL. He has friends everywhere entrenched in teams and has seen more NHL players and prospects close up than most team personnel have.

McGuire's NHL experience is in scouting and coaching. He was a scout with the Ottawa Senators in the mid-90s after a stint as head coach with the Hartford Whalers. Prior to that, he won two Stanley Cups as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He's a polarizing character in the broadcast booth (or, more often, between the benches at ice level). Many find his character on television to be obnoxious, but others certainly appreciate his knowledge of the game and his excitement level. He has plenty of contacts in the hockey world as well, which may be the single most important asset a team GM can have.

One thing is for sure, though. If he gets the job as general manager in Tampa Bay, his first order of business will be to call up goaltender Dustin Tokarski, a young goaltending prospect in the organization with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals. The two have a history...