Columbus Blue Jackets GM Candidates: Eric Tulsky
Regarding who the Columbus Blue Jackets will hire for their vacant GM position, it's anybody's guess at this point. The Blue Jackets haven't said a word and the only thing we hear is from NHL insiders, and even then the info is speculation at best.
John Davidson told us from the start that he was looking for someone with experience and would be taking their time to make sure they get this hire right. We haven't heard anything about who they've interviewed, requested interviews from, or even talked to. Blue Jacket fans are getting antsy these days.
The only name we know for sure that they won't be hiring is the Montreal Canadiens Jeff Gorton. Elliotte Friedman said today that the Habs refused to give the Jackets permission to talk to him. On to the next one.
The name constantly talked about by Columbus fans online is the Carolina Hurricanes Asst. General Manager Eric Tulsky. Tulsky has been with Carolina since 2014 and took a strange path to get there, but he got there. The man was an inorganic chemist, with a passion for data-driven hockey analytics. What?!?!
Tulsky was an analyst for three years before being named Director of Analytics in 2017, while also assuming the role of Manager of Analytics. In 2018 he was also given the job of VP of Hockey Management while continuing his job as Director of Analytics.
On Jan. 8, 2021, he was again elevated to a higher position, this time he was promoted to Asst. General Manager under GM Don Waddell, who replaced Ron Francis. Tulsky has been the AGM ever since.
Since he became the AGM, Tulsky has interviewed with multiple teams over the years but has decided to stay in Carolina. In the four seasons since he became the AGM, the Canes have won 194 games, including 50+ wins in each of the last three seasons. The 2021 season in which they won 36 games, was the shortened season with only 56 games. Safe to say they've done pretty well in his tenure as AGM.
But now the Hurricanes are sort of at a crossroads. With their season just ending at the hands of the New York Rangers in the second round of the NHL Playoffs, they have some serious work to do. Of their core, they have 8 UFAs, including names like Jake Guentzel, Jordan Martinook, Teuvu Teravainen, and Brady Skjei. They also have 6 RFAs currently on the roster. They'll have about $27 million to spend for what it's worth.
John Davidson has also mentioned analytics when it comes to the next GM. Tulsky seems like the ideal candidate. Experience? Check. Analytical? Check. Winning Culture? Check. Tulsky has also been in a smaller market in Raleigh, so that's a plus as well.
But, will the Hurricanes grant him permission to interview with Columbus? President and GM Don Waddell has been in that duel position for six seasons now, and it's very feasible that he promotes Tulsky to GM and just assumes the President's role to keep Tulsky in Carolina.
Columbus fans are hoping he gets the job in Cannon City. With the Hurricanes being recently eliminated, look for decisions to be made fairly quickly down in North Carolina.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.
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