Did the Capitals’ interest in Ron Hextall hasten his promotion to general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers?
Less than two weeks ago Hextall told CSNWashington.com that he would be interested in interviewing for another general manager’s position if a team showed an interest in hiring him.
The Flyers reportedly denied teams from interviewing Hextall, instead elevating him to general manager, where he’ll replace Paul Holmgren, who assumes the role of team president.
At a news conference introducing Hextall as the Flyers’ new general manager on Wednesday, Holmgren was asked if other teams’ interest in Hextall prompted his promotion.
“I’m not going to comment on another team,” he said. “We did what was best for the Flyers.”
The news of Hextall’s promotion comes one day after Peter Laviolette was hired as head coach of the Nashville Predators.
Both were believed to be on the Capitals’ long list of potential general managers and coaches but it was clear from Wednesday’s news conference in Philadelphia that Hextall wanted to remain in Philadelphia for what he called his “dream job.”
With Hextall and Laviolette out of contention, two of the top candidates believed to be on the Capitals’ list are Jim Benning, the assistant general manager of the Boston Bruins, and Barry Trotz, who was not renewed by the Nashville Predators after 15 years as head coach.
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