If the rumors are true about The Creator putting together a dream team of hockey execs, than its time to examine who may be Las Vegas hockey’s Johnny Cochran and Robert Kardashian. The main name that’s been tossed around is former NHL forward Scott Mellanby.
He was mentioned by Elliotte Friedman, and Nick Kypreos as a potential candidate for Foley’s GM position.
Sure it’s early and it could be speculation, but Mellanby might be a good fit in Las Vegas. He played 21 seasons in the NHL, and played for two different expansion teams. Florida drafted him 30th overall in the 1993 Expansion Draft, and later he was the Captain of the Atlanta Thrashers. He had a solid career, and saw the NHL develop a lot over those 20+ seasons.
After he retired from hockey, Mellanby worked with Vancouver GM Mike Gillis. During his stay in Vancouver, the Canucks finished 1st in their division every season.
Mellanby left the Canucks to join the St Louis Blues coaching staff. Many believed Mellanby was training to become a head coach. After two seasons with St Louis, he resigned citing his heart wasn’t into coaching. Now, Mellanby is the Assisntant GM under Marc Bergevin in Montreal. Now they’re both getting killed in Montreal after the Habs collapse.
Mellanby desired a front office position after he left St. Louis, and Montreal gave him that opportunity. Exposure to a nutty hockey town like Montreal, can only help Mellanby. It’s the perfect place to get seasoned up for his first GM job, and maybe it’ll be in Las Vegas. Mellanby has played the game, coached the game, and scouted the game. How’s that for experience?
He’s widely considered a good hockey mind, and someday will be a team’s GM. He played in the Dynasty Era, the Dead Puck Era, the Expansion Era, and now he’s managing in the Salary Cap Era. Mellanby has seen it all, and his NHL knowledge could help a new franchise like the one The Creator is creating. Plus he scored the first Rat Trick.
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Scott Mellanby’s Hockey Resume:
Drafted 1984 27th Overall to the Philadelphia Flyers
Drafted in 1993 Expansion Drafted 30th Overall by Florida Panther
Scored first ever goal in Panther’s history .
Played 1431 games with the Flyers, Oilers, Panthers(A/C), Blues(A), Thrashers(C)
Scored 840 Career Points; 364 NHL Goals, 476 NHL Assists
Career -36 Plus/Minus, 2479 Penalty Minutes
Played the 3rd most NHL games(1431) without a Stanley Cup. Behind Mike Gartner(1432), and Phil Housley(1495)
Scored Most Power Play Goals in One Game(4)
Scored the First Ever Rat Trick
Spent three years in Vancouver as a Consultant to the General Manager
Two years as an Assistant Coach in St Louis
Now serves as the Assistant General Manager in Montreal
Co-Founder of Athletes Against Autism
Faviola Proehl
Very nice, thank you!