Since the Nashville Predators entered the NHL in 1998, Paul Fenton had been a part of their front office, first as a director of player personnel and then assistant general manager. He became one of the most respected executives in the league. Through the years, he interviewed with a number of teams for general manager vacancies, while taking his name out of consideration for dozens more.
The right fit never arrived, until an old friend came calling.
On Monday, Fenton, 58, was named the general manager of the Minnesota Wild, who are owned by Craig Leipold, the Predators' founding owner.