Does disaster-GM make a comeback to the NHL? Nominated for a top position

The Nashville Predators are eagerly searching for a new GM as Barry Trotz steps down from his role at the end of this season. According to NHL reporter Elliotte Friedman, a true surprise name is in the running for the Nashville GM position: Peter Chiarelli.

Chiarelli previously served as GM for the Boston Bruins (2006-15) and the Edmonton Oilers (2015-19). He has gained a reputation as one of the worst GMs in the NHL of the 2000s. Particularly, his trades and contracts during his time with the Oilers are often highlighted as some of the worst in hockey history.

Chiarelli, for instance, traded forward Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Adam Larsson. Hall was named the NHL’s Most Valuable Player while with the Devils. Larsson, on the other hand, developed into a second-pair defenseman.

Chiarelli attempted to add toughness to Edmonton’s defense in the form of Griffin Reinhart. He paid the New York Islanders both a 1st and a 2nd round draft pick. With the first pick, the Islanders selected Mathew Barzal.

Reinhart ultimately played 30 NHL games in Edmonton without any significant achievements. He ended his hockey career in the 2021-22 season with the Belfast Giants in the EIHL.

On the contract front, Chiarelli’s biggest blunder was the Milan Lucic 42 million dollar deal. The slowing power forward was never worth the value of his contract, and the deal burdened Edmonton’s salary cap for a long time.

Since 2019, Chiarelli has worked in the St. Louis Blues organization, first as an advisor and then as the Vice President of Hockey Operations.