Winner to be announced during first round of 2023 NHL Entry Draft next month
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito is getting some well-deserved recognition.
Since being hired in September of 2020, Zito has made move after move to completely rehaul and rebuild the franchise.
Free agent finds like Carter Verhaeghe, Radko Gudas and Anthony Duclair, trade acquisitions that include Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour, and then the waiver claims of Gus Forsling and Josh Mahura…Zito has had his finger on the pulse of the Panthers from the moment he joined the club.
On Wednesday, the NHL announced that Zito was named a finalist for the 2023 Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.
Voting for the award is conducted among NHL general managers, as well as a group of league executives and some print and broadcast media.
They voted after the conclusion of the second round of the playoffs.
The three finalists are Zito, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill and Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney.
This is Zito's second time being nominated after he was also a finalist following his first season with the Panthers in 2020-21.
A winner will be announced during the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville on Wednesday, June 28.