*The Pittsburgh Penguins over the last week have held as many as 8-10 interviews with potential General Manager candidates, mostly phone interviews, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports. Things, though, continue to be described as being an extremely slow process. One sense is the organization isn’t even sure yet what direction they want to take and how it’s going to shake up. A belief around the league is Pittsburgh may be finding out that teaming an experienced General Manager with two or three individuals under him who would also have significant say on decisions and philosophies might be more fantasy than reality. That has been the ultimate goal for the Penguins organization going into this of trying to find multiple individuals they feel will mesh with each other. Whether the Penguins pivot from this remains to be seen but all indications are a number of former General Manager’s the Penguins have interest in and have spoken with thus far in the early goings eye an opportunity of a more traditional General Manager role than a President of Hockey Operations type role.

*Another obstacle the Penguins are said to have run into is getting permission to interview some of the top executives from teams still in the playoffs. While Dallas granted permission for a phone interview that happened recently between the Penguins and Stars executive Steve Greeley whose considered a top rising candidate in league circles, another team in the playoffs told the Penguins no permission would be granted until July 1st for a prominent assistant General Manager, which is basically saying no permission will be granted. That team is believed to have been To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Noise Around Three Former GM’s: Two individuals the Penguins conducted in-person interviews with last week who are expected to be a part of this and are considered likely to be in the mix when things start to really heat up: Former To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

*Down 3-0 in the series, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the Florida Panthers right where they want them…………The way the Leafs are bowing out, Brendan Shanahan is going to have a tough sale on all three majority owners signing off on a new To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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