Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said Tuesday in a conference call that he has already started the process for replacing assistant general manager Brad Treliving, who was named the GM of the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
But Maloney said there is no urgency to complete the search before the June draft because the staff is well positioned, with several people in place to care of Treliving's duties in the short term.
"I'm still mulling things," said Maloney, who endured a long and delayed travel day back to the Valley on Monday after attending the U18 IIHF World Championships in Helsinki.
Maloney said the list of names that has contacted him about the vacant position was up to 23 on Tuesday. Maloney intends to talk to external and in-house candidates. Among the latter could be senior director of hockey operations Chris O'Hearn and assistant to the general manager/goaltender coach Sean Burke.
O'Hearn is the staff's go-to guy on contracts, the salary cap and the collective bargaining agreement -- a vital role in today's NHL that is often filled by assistant GMs.
Sean Burke
Burke does not have extensive experience with the financial side of the job, scouting or overseeing a minor league affiliate, but Maloney noted that he had expressed interest and the Coyotes are looking for ways to expand his role, including in the development of players. Maloney also noted Treliving was a non-traditional hire when he brought him in.
At the same time, "we also know how important (Sean) is to our No. 1 goalie," said Maloney, acknowledging that Burke's close work with Mike Smith would have to be a factor in this decision.
That could prove tricky if Burke wants a chance at the job. He is in the final year of his contract and could opt to pursue other opportunities if he doesn't get one here.
Maloney said Calgary president of hockey operations Brian Burke approached him a couple months ago about talking to Treliving after Flames GM Jay Feaster was fired in December.
Treliving also interviewed with Buffalo for the GM spot Tim Murray accepted, and Maloney said another, unnamed team approached him recently about talking to Treliving. Washington and Vancouver currently have openings. Treliving is a British Columbia native.
Maloney said it became clear with all that interest that Treliving would be moving on, so the club has had time to analyze how to replace him.
"I fully expect to look at outside candidates, but I'm not locked into hiring somebody and relocating somebody to Phoenix," Maloney said. "Right now, it's just looking at names and starting to talk about it a little bit."
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