#s:gm

Ron Francis will be the general manager of the Seattle NHL expansion team, it was reported Tuesday.

Francis was GM of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2014-18 and worked in their front office for 12 seasons. The Hurricanes did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his four seasons as GM. They ended a nine-season playoff drought by reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season, their first under his replacement, Don Waddell.

Seattle will begin play in the 2021-22 NHL season.

Seattle president and CEO Tod Leiweke said at the 2019 NHL Draft last month that it wanted to hire its first GM sooner rather than later.

"I think we're going to get top, top talent in the GM spot," Leiweke said. "I think we have a chance to build out a world-class staff around that GM.

Medicine Hat, Alta. – The Medicine Hat Tigers announced today that Willie Desjardins will be returning as General Manager and Head Coach.

Desjardins was the head coach of the Tigers from 2002-10 before leaving to become an associate coach for the Dallas Stars. During his tenure with the Tigers, Desjardins guided the team to two WHL Championships (2004, 2007).  The team also captured four consecutive Central Division banners (2004, 2006, 2005 and 2007), two Eastern Conference Championships (2004 and 2007) and the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for winning the regular season in 2005-06.

Ron Hextall was fired as general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

Chuck Fletcher was named executive vice president and general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The NHL general managers approved concepts for rule changes regarding player safety and offense on the second day of their annual March meetings on Tuesday.

All rule changes must be approved by the NHL-NHLPA Competition Committee before going to the Board of Governors for approval. The Competition Committee meets during the Stanley Cup Final and the BOG meets next at the end of June.

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers will try to thread the needle in the days ahead, focused on change although unwilling to trade away the future after firing president of hockey operations and general manager Peter Chiarelli on Tuesday night.

Peter Chiarelli was fired as president of hockey operations and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.

The Oilers (23-24-2) are seventh in the Pacific Division and lost their third straight game, 3-2 to the Detroit Red Wings, on Tuesday. They are 6-12-1 since Dec. 13.

Bob Murray had his contract as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks extended for two seasons Saturday.

He is under contract through the 2021-22 NHL season.

"It's an honor to work for a great organization, led by terrific ownership," Murray told the Ducks website. "Having a successful franchise is a group effort, and I'm grateful for the efforts of many, including my entire hockey operations staff."