Report: Winnipeg Offers GM Job to Kevin Cheveldayoff

According to NHL.com, True North has offered their vacant GM job to Kevin Cheveldayoff. The former 1988 first round draft pick of the Islanders was recently the assistant GM of the Chicago Blackhawks and the GM of the AHL's Chicago Wolves before that.

No word on whether Cheveldayoff has accepted or not yet.

CH: I'm not so sure I love this move from a Winnipeg standpoint. There is no question that Cheveldayoff has potential in management. He was rumored back for the Islanders job in 2006 before the position went to Neil Smith. I am just concerned that he is being shoved into a very high pressure situation in Winnipeg with a rebuilding team. That's a lot to put on a rookie GM, especially with the importance of putting a good product on the ice for the team's future in Winnipeg. Between Rick Dudley and Cheveldayoff, I think Dudley would have been a better option for Winnipeg, but it's clear True North wanted to start as fresh as possible.

AT: I also think Dudley would've been better, but as you said it's pretty obvious Winnipeg wants a new start on the team, both in management and in style.

Around The NHL: Game 2, Winnipeg, Rick Dudley

Photo Credit: TSN via Getty Images

In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Alex Burrows scored the game winning goal for Vancouver just 11 seconds into overtime. Game 3 will be in Boston on Monday at 8 PM on VERSUS. 

CH: Unfortunately, I missed the game but it sounds like it was a great game all around. Huge win for the Canucks who will now maintain home ice advantage as the series moves to Boston.

AT: Great game by both sides. Nice to finally see some regulation scoring! Bruins D looked tired by the end of the game. Vancouver looked fast as hell... hence scoring so quickly into OT. Great game all around. Onto Boston.

TSN is reporting that True North has decided to not retain Rick Dudley as the new Winnipeg team's General Manager. Dudley had four years remaining on his contract after signing an extension with the Atlanta Thrashers this past January.

CH: Very bold move by the new ownership of the Winnipeg team. Dudley is a fantastic talent evaluator and could have really helped propelled the team to take the next step. Dudley will surely not be around for long, and if the Islanders wanted to take advantage of his availability, he would be a great candidate for a Team President type role, or just one who oversees all hockey operations with the front office. I don't expect this to happen by any stretch, but whoever does land Dudley will be getting a fantastic hockey mind in their organization.

AT: Agreed. Very odd that they'd rid themselves of Dudley as he clearly had a plan, but I guess True North has other plans. Good luck to them.

Speaking of Winnipeg, TSN is reporting the new team sold out 13,000 season tickets within 20 minutes of availability to the public as well as a long waiting list. With the MTS Centre's capacity at a little over 15,000, only 2,000 tickets will be available to the public per game.

CH: The response by the Winnipeg community has been outstanding and exactly what needed to happen for this to work. The only question is if they will be able to maintain it if the team continues to struggle. One would hope and expect they would. The amount of tickets sold here puts Winnipeg in the top half of teams for revenue sharing. Congratulations to True North, the Winnipeg community, and the NHL for making a seamless transition from a very unfortunate situation in Atlanta.

AT: Just an awesome job by the Winnipeg area fans. They've shown everyone that they're ready to have a team again, and that they will support it.