Nashville assistant general manager Ray Shero has emerged as the top candidate to be the Penguins' next general manager.

Shero reportedly was negotiating with the Boston Bruins for their general manager job, but those talks broke off yesterday over money and/or autonomy issues, and it's believed he then turned to the Penguins.

The Bruins reportedly began talking with their other top choice, Ottawa assistant general manager Peter Chiarelli, who also is high on the Penguins' list.

The Penguins' general manager job opened when they fired Craig Patrick April 20.

Shero and Chiarelli have declined interview requests this week, and Penguins CEO Ken Sawyer, who is conducting the general manager search alone, has maintained a shroud of secrecy.

The Boston Globe reported that an NHL general manager requesting anonymity described Shero and Chiarelli as finalists with the Penguins.

"No surprise. These are the two brightest young guys the game has to offer," the general manager told the Globe.

Shero, 43, is in his eighth season with Nashville and formerly worked for the Senators.

He was a two-time captain while playing for St. Lawrence University and is the son of former NHL coach Fred Shero, who led Philadelphia to Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and '75.

He and Chiarelli, 41, are former hockey agents who have worked with successful small-market clubs handling a wide range of assignments. Chiarelli is the right-hand man to Ottawa general manager and longtime hockey executive John Muckler.

With the Predators, Shero oversees the Milwaukee Admirals minor-league club and is involved in player contract negotiations, scouting and other day-to-day operations.

Nashville general manager David Poile strongly has advocated Shero's potential as a general manager.

"When you're looking at young, up-and-coming general managers, I think he should be on everyone's list," Poile said of Shero during the season.