The Toronto Maple Leafs have a critical offseason ahead of them, with decisions on the future of several core players, potential extension talks with Auston Matthews, and a roster with ten pending unrestricted free agents. All of this to do, and no general manager to do it.
Toronto continues to search for a new front office leader after firing Kyle Dubas following another disappointing playoff exit. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports four names—Brad Treliving, Jason Botterill, Peter Chiarelli, and Marc Bergevin—that he expects to have interviews with the Maple Leafs.
Treliving, in particular, seems to have plenty of momentum as a top candidate after exiting the Calgary Flames earlier this spring. The veteran executive had been GM of the Flames since 2014, previously serving as an assistant with the Phoenix Coyotes.
Chiarelli, Bergevin, and Botterill should all be very familiar to Maple Leafs fans, given their respective terms as general managers of the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres. They are also likely not very exciting choices, at least from the fans’ perspective, given their questionable roster management in the past.
Still, it seems likely that Toronto will go with an experienced NHL name this time around as they try to figure out what’s holding them back from playoff success. Since Matthews and the rest of the young core debuted in 2016, the team has had just one playoff victory past the first round.
Just heard Marek mention Trader Pete in that list. Leafs fans should get the pitchforks and torches ready!
Are you sure? Many of the mob think the team’s stars needed to be traded yesterday. Many of them might seem his as the saviour.
@neo – Trader Pete = really weak glove hand and sketchy blocker, if you get my drift.
I don’t think Leafs fans are going to be happy if any of these 4 are hired. Let the chaos begin.
@MotownWings – “They are also likely not very exciting choices, at least from the fans’ perspective, given their questionable roster management in the past.” — This proves @Gavin really is reading our minds! ;)
BT isn’t so bad nor is Bergevin imo
I’m intrigued to see what Bergevin could do if not required to prioritize French speaking players
That is an interesting point. He made some good trades (Weber for Subban) but also had his losses on the trade front too (Drouin for Sergachev).
(shrugs) Leafs fans won’t be happy if they signed the ghost of Conn Smythe, short of a deep run into the semifinals. They’d cheer for anyone, no matter how hated, who got them that far. They’d boo anyone, no matter how beloved, who continued the string of flameouts.
That’s a pretty weak group of names, Perhaps Shanahan is underqualified for his position.
What would make you think that? lol
I’m a little surprised Shanahan wasn’t one of the ones to go. He’s produced nothing but failure since he got the job.
Treliving is the only option of those four that wouldn’t make me renounce my Leafs fandom.
Dig up the body of Mike Keenan
Bring Babcock back !
Chia: The trade is one for one Austin Matthews for Sean Durzi lol
None of those options sound like a good idea. I keep hearing Shanahan wants a experienced gm this time, is that a hint that management felt like some of the moves dubas made would not have been made by a more experienced gm?
It will not matter who they get if the GM does not have full power to make trades and roster moves then the problem will always be Shanahan and the bone heads above him…So if I was interviewed for the GM position then that would be one condition I The GM will have nobody in my way…Period.
Leafs should hire Dale Tallon let him build the team fire him and they will win the cup ,worked in Chicago and looks like it will work again in Florida
Better yet keep him win multiple cups the man knows how to assemble a great team