NHL Names David Poile, Peter Chiarelli and Pierre Dorion Finalists for General Manager of the Year

The National Hockey League announced the three finalists for the General Manager of the Year on Tuesday, as David Poile, of the Nashville Predators, Pierre Dorion, of the Ottawa Senators and Peter Chiarelli, of the Edmonton Oilers received the most votes. 

The voting was conducted by the general managers, league executives and members of the NHL media after the conclusion of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Poile, a three-time finalist for the award, has guided the Predators to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 10 times out of the last 13 seasons. The past season, Nashville finished fourth place in the Central Division, with a 41-29-12 record, as they reached the Western Conference Finals after capturing the eighth seed and second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. 

The Predators shocked the Chicago Blackhawks and swept them away in the opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They then went on to knock off the St. Louis Blues in six games in the semifinals to take on the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Finals. 

During the offseason, Poile dealt defenseman, Shea Weber, to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman, P.K. Subban. Subban has helped the Predators in both ends of the ice this season and postseason, as they made their first appearance in the NHL’s equivalent to the Final Four. 

Forward, Viktor Arvidsson, who was drafted 112^th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by Poile tied for the team lead in goals (31) and points (61). 

Dorion received his promotion to general manager of the Senators on April 10, 2016. In his first season at the helm, he hired Guy Boucher to work behind the bench and acquired Derek Brassard from the New York Rangers for Mika Zibanejad, in a swap of center icemen. 

During the season, he acquired Viktor Stahlberg, Tommy Wingels and Alexandre Burrows in depth moves for the organization. 

The Senators finished second in the Atlantic Division and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. 

Chiarelli, in his second season as general manager, guided the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup Final, eleven seasons ago. The Oilers also put up their first 100-point season in 30 years. 

During the offseason, he signed unrestricted free agents, Kris Russell and Milan Lucic and sent former first overall pick, Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman, Adam Larsson. Chiarelli also acquired David Desharnais from the Canadiens in a late season deal. 

Desharnais picked up a big goal in game five of the Oilers’ opening round matchup against defending Western Conference Champions, the San Jose Sharks. The Oilers went on to defeat the Sharks in six games before falling to the Anaheim Ducks in a hard fought seven game, second round matchup. 

The Larsson deal, helped shore up the Oilers back end as they gave up 207 goals in 82 games, putting up their best defensive season, since 2001-2002. 

The winner will be announced during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at the new home of the Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena on June 21 at 7:30 PM. NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada will provide coverage of the event.