The Detroit Red Wings almost lost one of their top front office guys to the Montreal Candiens, according to Ansar Khan of mlive.com. Jim Nill, the assistant general manager of the Red Wings, was considering taking the full general manager position with Montreal, before deciding that the move was not in his family's best interest. There's an illness in his family that is keeping Nill around.

Still, if those issues get resolved, the Red Wings could see the back of Nill at some point over the next season or two if he continues to get looks from other teams. He's been with the Red Wings for 18 years, 14 of which as the assistant general manager under Ken Holland. On top of that, he runs the amateur scouting department and oversees the selections at the entry draft.

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch gave Nill permission to talk with the Canadiens organization, and it does sound like the talks went in a very positive direction in regards to Nill and his future. The story from mlive.com ends with a quote from Nill, who says his goal is to become a general manager, and that there will be opportunities for it down the road.