In a (perhaps not so) surprise announcement, the Chicago Blackhawks have declared assistant general manager Rick Dudley has tendered his resignation. From Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune:

Dudley, who was general manager of the Ottawa Senators for the 1998-99 season, often was on the road scouting for the Hawks and this move could pave the way for a return to the NHL general manager ranks with another team.

It is no secret Dudley's been gathering steam for another GM position, and recently remarked that he had "unfinished business" in (Sunrise,) Florida after being replaced by Panthers' fan-favorite Mike Keenan following the 2003-04 season.

Are Cats faithful pondering the arrival of a new overlord? They could do a lot worse, and Dudley has frequently been quoted by local media when looking for outside opinions on the inner workings of the club.

Might be nothing to this, Panther-wise, but he does seem a wise fit, but can he work with the owner who canned him all those years ago? Or has that been ironed out, via the still-possible new conglomerate working to purchase the team (and building management, and surrounding land)?

UPDATE: Dudley has joined the Atlanta Thrashers in the same capacity he served in Chicago. STUNNED I am. Oh well. Current Birds' GM Don Waddell is now officially on the hot seat. And I speak for not only Thrasher fans but NHL supporters alike: About damned time.

Each day I'm beginning to warm to the idea of Randy Sexton going it full-time with Florida. He's running the entire operation - on the precipice of the Entry Draft and UFA Days. Bill Torrey is definitely scouting the landscape...for an assistant to Sexton.