Sharks Still Early in GM Search Process? Whitney Having 1st Interview Tomorrow

A week ago, San Jose Sharks president Jonathan Becher “characterized the organization’s search for a new GM as in the first period, but well beyond the first shift.”

It looks like they’re still in that opening frame, judging by details that San Jose Hockey Now has learned about the organization’s scheduled interview tomorrow with Ray Whitney for the GM position. Elliotte Friedman was the first to suggest that the Sharks could be interested in Whitney, and Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports was the first to confirm it.

REPORT: Whitney To Interview for Sharks GM

SJHN has learned that this will be Whitney’s first interview with the San Jose Sharks and that it will be conducted via Zoom.

Why is this significant? This suggests that the Sharks are still in a relatively early phase of their GM search.

Becher noted last week that they would hold initial phone/Zoom conversations with 20-25 candidates. Becher is heading the GM search, along with San Jose Sharks interim GM Joe Will and owner Hasso Plattner.

Becher also indicated last week that the Sharks haven’t had any in-person interviews yet and that they expect to hold two to four conversations with the most exceptional candidates.

He also shared that the Sharks hope to have four to five serious GM candidates by the end of May, meaning they have their work cut out for them if they’re still “in the first period” right now.

If you can believe it, Whitney is the first confirmed interview for the San Jose Sharks GM position.

San Jose Hockey Now reported, before the interviewing process began, that Kevin Weekes appeared to be a strong candidate, while Jeff Marek named John Ferguson Jr.. But neither Weekes nor Ferguson Jr. have been confirmed as actually having an initial interview with the Sharks.

Other names that San Jose Hockey Now has heard from sources but can’t confirm as of now as being on the Sharks’ interview list, are Mike Gillis, Sean Burke, Scott Nichol, Chris MacFarland, Mike Futa, and Paul Fenton.