Scott Mellanby reportedly almost Montreal's new GM, now he's no longer with the team

With everything going on on the ice for the Montreal Canadiens this season, the last thing the team needs is "a state of turmoil" in the front office. But, that seems to be exactly what the Habs are getting.

Reports came in Saturday evening that the Canadiens were speaking to former New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton. While it wouldn't be for the GM position, there were rumblings that it could be for something like President of Hockey Operations, which would make him either equal to, or just under the GM. Then came word that Montreal Assistant GM Scott Mellanby, who's been with the team since 2012 with a couple of different titles, had resigned suddenly. TSN's Pierre LeBrun has added to that, saying "...Mellanby had extensive talks with Habs owner Geoff Molson at first about becoming GM, then that changed to perhaps becoming president of hockey operations. But he was told yesterday he was out of the running. So he resigned today."

Hearing that Scott Mellanby had extensive talks with Habs owner Geoff Molson at first about becoming GM, then that changed to perhaps becoming president of hockey operations. But he was told yesterday he was out of the running. So he resigned today.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 28, 2021

Scott Mellanby resigned from his role as assistant general manager.https://t.co/wztwFHqPXo— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 28, 2021

GM Marc Bergevin's contract is up at the end of this season. There's been no extension so far, and it's difficult to imagine that happening given the way the Canadiens have played. The Habs are a tire-fire on the ice right now and it doesn't seem like that will change any time soon. However, TSN's Chris Johnston believes the next GM will still be French.

"With the Habs front office in a state of turmoil, there's a widely held expectation inside the industry that the organization will pursue a French GM when it comes time to replace Marc Bergevin," said Johnston.

With the #habs front office in a state of turmoil, there's a widely held expectation inside the industry that the organization will pursue a French GM when it comes time to replace Marc Bergevin.— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 28, 2021

TSN's Darren Dreger said owner Geoff Molson is the one calling the shots right now, so it would seem he is the reason Mellanby left after being loyal for so long. He had been linked to GM positions with a number of teams over the years - Minnesota, Florida, etc. - but the veteran of 1431 NHL games never seemed to get the call. It appears like it's just a matter of time, though and there are teams out there right now looking, or potentially looking for one. Vancouver and Anaheim come to mind immediately. Meanwhile, Dreger believes Gorton is being targeted for a Hockey Operations President role.

Very intriguing situation in Montreal. We know Scott Mellanby is out. He resigned. We know there's interest in Jeff Gorton. Geoff Molson is running point on this and it's believed, Gorton is targeted for a very substantial hockey operations position.— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 28, 2021

Scott Mellanby resigned from his role as assistant general manager.https://t.co/wztwFHqPXo— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 28, 2021