The Boston Bruins have begun their search for the organization’s next general manager, according to a league source.

The source indicated the Bruins have already had ongoing interviews and have spoken with potential candidates to replace Peter Chiarelli, who was dismissed by the team last week.

Team president Cam Neely explained last week that the organization would conduct an “exhaustive” search for the next GM, both internally and externally." Neely also said the next GM would decide the fate of coach Claude Julien.

The internal candidate Neely spoke of is likely assistant general manager Don Sweeney. There was some thought that the Bruins would revisit former Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero, who was a finalist with the Bruins before Chiarelli was hired in 2006, but according to a source the team has not talked with Shero.

On Wednesday, Chiarelli met with the Edmonton Oilers, a source confirmed. Since Craig MacTavish is the general manager of the Oilers, it’s not clear which job Chiarelli, who is respected around the league, could be interviewing for.