Sources close to the Tampa Bay Lightning say Dave Nonis, Steve Yzerman and Doug Risebrough are believed to be high on new Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's short list of potential GMs.
Sources say the Red Wings have granted permission for Tampa Bay to speak with Yzerman, currently a vice president in Detroit.
Yzerman won't comment on the possibility, although his interest in making the move now may be amplified by the fact Detroit will soon announce Ken Holland's contract extension as executive vice president and general manager.
Dave Nonis, the senior vice president of hockey operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs is considered the frontrunner, although, if Yzerman, the executive director for Canada's Olympic gold medal team, is genuinely interested in the job, that could change.
Up to this point, speculation has identified Doug Risebrough as the prime candidate for replacing the recently fired Brian Lawton as Tampa Bay GM. Risebrough served as a New York Rangers' consultant this season.
Meanwhile, sources say Vinik's search for a CEO has identified a prime target and while Seattle Seahawks Chief Executive Officer, Tod Leiweke earlier this month told the St Petersburg Times he is not a candidate, some believe the job is his and the details are being finalized.