Canadiens assistant GM Mellanby resigns

Scott Mellanby resigned as assistant general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced Saturday.

The Canadiens hired Mellanby as their director of player personnel in 2012 before promoting him to assistant general manager in 2014. He also had stints in various positions with the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues after concluding his 21-season playing career in 2007.

Mellanby discussed with owner Geoff Molson about becoming general manager, as well as president of hockey operations, but he resigned after being told he was out of the running, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Montreal received permission Saturday to talk to former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton, and he's in the running for an unspecified role above GM Marc Bergevin, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Eric Engels.

The Rangers fired Gorton as their general manager in May after six seasons at the helm.

The Canadiens are 6-15-2 on the season.