Pierre McGuire candidacy for Penguins GM: 'Lots of people who would like to have that job'

NBC analyst and former Hartford Whalers head coach Pierre McGuire participated in a conference call ahead of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday afternoon, and addressed the ongoing speculation about his candidacy for the vacant position of Pittsburgh Penguins general manager.

"I met with the Pittsburgh Penguins," hockey's trivia master confirmed. "I talked with the Pittsburgh Penguins. So have a lot of other people."

Continued McGuire: "There are a lot of people who would like to have that job."

As of Tuesday there are at least five other candidates who have reportedly interviewed for the position, including former Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Julien BriseBois, Nashville Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton, and two internal candidates in Penguins interim general manager Jason Botteril and assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

During the press conference McGuire demurred when asked about whether he's a "finalist" for the job, and was complimentary of ex-Penguins general manager Ray Shero's work as an executive. 

McGuire is known for his passion, drive, and encyclopedic knowledge of junior hockey. The longtime broadcaster hasn't held down an NHL job since he was fired as an Ottawa Senators assistant coach in 1996, and it's probably worth noting that his tenure with the Whalers ended poorly.