Report: Wild ask for permission to speak with Canadiens' Mellanby

The Minnesota Wild are apparently interested in talking to a third candidate for their vacant general manager position.

Wild brass has requested permission to speak with Montreal Canadiens assistant general manager Scott Mellanby, The Athletic's Michael Russo reports.

Russo reported Thursday that Minnesota conducted preliminary interviews with Ron Hextall and Peter Chiarelli after firing Paul Fenton on Tuesday.

Mellanby has been the Canadiens' assistant GM since July 2014 and joined the club as director of player personnel in May 2012.

The former NHL forward spent two years as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues. He also served as a special consultant to former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis for three years following Mellanby's retirement as a player.

Fenton was dismissed after just one season at the helm.