PITTSBURGH — The Penguins’ long, wide-ranging search for new hockey leadership has entered its sixth week. But there are some signs the process is nearing its conclusion.

Last week, several candidates met with Fenway Sports Group’s top officials at owner John Henry’s house. The candidates to interview reportedly included two former Penguins employees: Dan MacKinnon (Devils assistant GM) and Jason Karmanos (Sabres associate GM).

Among those believed to have got 2nd RD interviews for Pens GM job include Eric Tulsky, Dan MacKinnon, Steve Greeley, Jason Karmanos and Matthieu Darche.
Still a fluid process.
And there’s the question of whether or not Kyle Dubas would have a change of heart if Pitt called…

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 20, 2023

However, it’s a candidate without ties to the Penguins that seems to have aced his interviews. Eric Tulsky, the Hurricanes assistant GM, impressed FSG brass — specifically at an in-person meeting with Henry and chairman Tom Werner, said a Penguins team source granted anonymity by The Athletic because they are not permitted to speak publicly about the process.

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Tulsky is one of the Hurricanes’ two assistant GMs. He has played a pivotal role — including direct involvement on all hockey operations decisions, analytics, scouting and contract negotiations — under Carolina GM Don Waddell. The Hurricanes are in the Eastern Conference final and have qualified for the past five postseasons, winning at least one series each time.

While Tulsky has emerged as one of the top candidates, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas’ recent availability might play into the Penguins’ final decision. Sportsnet and TSN writers have reported the Penguins received permission to speak with Dubas from the Maple Leafs, who parted ways with him last Friday.

Dubas was an early front-runner for the Penguins, but he remained under contract to the Maple Leafs during the majority of this search.

The Penguins were willing to offer Dubas full control of their hockey operations department. With FSG looking to hire at least a GM and president of hockey operations, it’s possible the Penguins could look to bring in Dubas as president of hockey ops and Tulsky as GM. The Penguins may also be simply doing due diligence on Dubas, despite being deep into their search.

Dubas and Tulsky are known to incorporate data into decisions — and Henry has instructed Dave Beeston, a Penguins alternate governor, to build out the Penguins’ analytics department, said two team sources.

The Penguins have interviewed candidates, notably broadcaster Ed Olczyk, for a position that would include being a conduit between hockey operations and ownership, said a team and league source.

Beeston, who is overseeing the search process, previously said there was no set timetable for making new hires. The Penguins fired former GM Ron Hextall, president of hockey operations Brian Burke and assistant GM Chris Pryor on April 14. They failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons.

(Photo of Eric Tulsky courtesy of NHL.com)