Organizational Blow: Jim Nill Will Be Missed
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Red Wings Assistant GM Nill with Tomas Tatar at the 2009 NHL draft
The Red Wings are celebrating clinching their 22nd straight post season appearance after defeating the Dallas Stars 3-0 on Saturday. But the organization is doing it with a heavy heart knowing a key management cog is departing. Just before the game, TSN broke the news that Detroit Assistant General Manager Jim Nill is likely to be announced as the new Dallas GM as early as Monday.
Nill has been the Red Wings assistant general manager for 15 years and is highly regarded throughout the league. He’s had other opportunities to leave Detroit but the timing or opportunity has not been right. Unfortunately for Detroit, it appears Dallas has made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and the only question remains how soon he will take over the helm from current GM Joe Nieuwendyk.
The 55 year-old isn’t your typical assistant GM having complete control of the Wings drafting and player development. Over the years Nill’s role has expanded as Detroit put greater emphasis on player development. When Detroit renegotiated its affiliation deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins a few seasons ago, they essentially gave Nill the GM duties allowing him to have authority over player movement. The increased workload has given Detroit an even greater ability to have a role in player development. The move has paid dividends and can be seen in the play of Joakim Andersson, Brian Lashoff, Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar who have all seen NHL duty this season. The Wings have been lucky enough to have two NHL GM’s over they years with Ken Holland as 1A and Nill as 1B.
A former third round selection of the St. Louis Blues himself, Nill also runs the Red Wings amateur draft each June. While the Wings have some excellent scouts in the organization, it is Nill who has had the final say for the Wings over the years. Detroit has used the draft wisely over the years to restock their roster which now includes 15 Red Wings draft picks. The Hanna Alberta native will leave behind a deep pool of up and coming talent for the Red Wings and his finger prints will be across the organization for years to come.
The loss of Nill has been expected for several seasons, but it still comes as a blow. Nill certainly deserves a shot as an NHL GM, but the Red Wings will miss him greatly. He’s quietly provided a steady stream of up-and-coming talent to the Wings helping them transition on the fly and avoiding a complete make over despite the retirement of key veterans. Depending on Nill’s exact departure, expect the Red Wings to name an internal candidate as a replacement with the leading contenders being Ryan Martin (assistant GM of hockey administration) or Joe McDonnell (director of amateur scouting).