Eric Tulsky Has the Perfect Combination for Penguins Next GM
Eric Tulsky has emerged as a premiere candidate to be the next general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It's early in the Pittsburgh Penguins offseason, but the organization is already looking for a whole new management group. Recently, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) made it clear that they are casting a wide net during their search for new front office staff, and the rumor mill hasn't stopped spinning since. While they may look far and wide for the next GM, FSG can save themselves the trouble by simply looking within their own division. The perfect candidate is already here: Eric Tulsky, Assistant General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes.
What the Penguins need the most in their next GM is someone who can blend the analytical and statistical parts of the game comfortably with the traditional evaluation methods of the league. The Penguins are a team that is desperate for a new lens and approach to their roster construction, and Tulsky provides just that. Holding a Ph.D. in chemistry, Tulsky brings over a decade of scientific and high tech research analysis experience to his current employer, the Hurricanes.
With his academic and professional background, it's clear that Tulsky is someone who can not only compute and provide an analytical perspective, he can also apply the results in a clear and concise manner. This might be best evidenced by the Hurricanes smartly acquiring both Anti Raanta and Freddy Andersen before last season. At the time, both goalies were coming off of down years, but due to Tulsky's hockey information department the Hurricanes signed both and have been rewarded with one of the league's best goaltending duos.
In his current role with the Hurricanes, Tulsky holds a large amount of responsibility. He not only leads the pro scouting and hockey information departments, he also is involved in all player personnel decisions, including contract negotiations and salary cap compliance. The Penguins are in just as desperate need to improve their salary cap situation as they are desperate for a better understanding of analytics in the game. Tulsky can provide both.
The biggest hurdle to this situation is two-fold. Firstly, will Carolina let him interview? Their front office does hold the power to refuse permission, which would withdraw him from the running. Secondly, does Tulsky have any interest in the position? He's shown that he's ready to take the next step and become a general manager. In 2022 when the Chicago Blackhawks were filling their vacant general manager role, they quite publicly announced that they were interviewing Tulsky for the open position. He didn't land the job, but the consideration elevated him to the status of "gm in waiting."
The Penguins need to be bold in their next general manager selection. Ron Hextall was the safest and most boring choice following the resignation and high octane reign of Jim Rutherford, and it's resulted in the team taking a considerable step back. While they may not need someone as trigger happy as Rutherford was, they do need someone who has a plan that feels fresh, and sticks to it. Tulsky would provide that exact fresh start feeling the Penguins, and fans, desperately need.
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