2 Predators GM Candidates Eliminated; 4 Others Are Still Frontrunners

The New Jersey Devils have hired a new GM; The Toronto Maple Leafs are considering bringing a couple of franchise greats back into the fold in advisory roles; and the Nashville Predators' search for a new general manager is also reaching the final stages.

Insider Frank Seravalli gives us a detailed breakdown on Monday of where things stand. He says that the Preds have eliminated two candidates, telling their two assistant GMs, Jeff Kealty and Scott Nichol, that they are no longer under consideration, and that the team will be hiring an outside candidate.

But several potential hires have had at least second interviews, with at least one more notable one to come.

#Smashville GM search:
> At least three candidates have had multiple, in-person interviews: Bill Scott, Brett Peterson and Scott White.
> Tom Fitzgerald expected to interview this week.
> Internal interviewees Jeff Kealty and Scott Nichol have been informed they are no longer…
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 20, 2026

Former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald to interview in Nashville this week

All three of Edmonton Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott, Florida Panthers AGM Brett Peterson and Scott White, Dallas Stars AGM, have all had multiple in-person interviews in Nashville, making all three of them finalists for the job. But they'll be joined by some experienced competition, as former New Jersey Devils GM and president of hockey operations Tom Fitzgerald is coming in for an interview this week.

Other names that have been linked to the job include former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and Boston Bruins AGM Jamie Langenbrunner.

The Predators have not been in a rush, says Seravalli, because "they were waiting for season's end to include candidates they did not immediately receive permission to interview."

Scott and White's teams are in the playoffs, while Peterson's is not, and Fitzgerald is a free man now altogether.

Intriguingly, Seravalli reports that legendary college football coach Nick Saban, who is a minority owner of the Preds—and knows a thing or two about winning and about inspiring athletes—has sat in on the interview process of the candidates, and has provided feedback.

Nashville hopes to have a new GM in place by the end of the month.