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Leafs Front Office 2026-27

https://twitter.com/x/status/2045522611900141898
5. Let’s go to Toronto. I was chatting with someone Friday who wondered why I wasn’t talking more about The Athletic article last week (which was very well-done) about the inner workings of the Maple Leafs’ front office. Toronto GM changes are now a gold mine for reporters. When Dubas left, there were stories for weeks. And, in the aftermath of Brad Treliving’s dismissal, the open antagonism between who supported him and who didn’t is pouring out like a flood. So, for me, there’s a little of everyone here is taking their pound of flesh.

At one of the pre-deadline meetings, a person told me a comment was made by someone (and I don’t believe it was Keith Pelley) that the way hockey operations handled things would not be tolerated in the business world. It was supposed to be whispered, but it was heard. You can imagine how that was received, particularly by people who thought the interventions were handled terribly. It’s like a bad breakup: there’s one side, there’s the other side, and the truth is usually in the middle. There is no doubt this season has left scars on the organization, the front office, the coaching staff and the players. That story definitely had some people wondering what really is going on in Toronto, but that’s what the interview process is for — candidates ask those questions and decide if this is for them. We will see how it all plays out.
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I think EF has the long and short of it. When Treliving was fired, the writing was on the wall for his factions of the office, and thus they have nothing to lose by trying to set the narrative. Similar to Dubas’ exit, and the stories out of Calgary when Treliving left them.
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/2045684345139286524
I want to believe, but it’s Simmons

P/HOHO: Mike Gillis
VPOVibes&Alumni: Mats Sundin
GM: some AGM nerd probably

And if it’s Gillis, he’ll likely want some semblance of the structure he proposed to the Penguins

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I assume Pridham, Hardy, and Dr. Wickenheiser are retained as AGMs.

Could probably promote Leach as AGM of Scouting 1, and hire old friend Judd Brackett as AGM of Scouting 2.
 
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https://twitter.com/x/status/2045866300405145952
Simmons didn’t write the headline

When he was captain of the Maple Leafs, Mats Sundin had all kinds of opinions as to what was right and wrong with the hockey club — opinions he chose to keep mostly to himself.

[…]

But that didn’t mean he was devoid of opinions. Quite the opposite. Sundin had strong views, those he kept to himself, those he shared with teammates or his closest friends. In some cases, Sundin’s words would come from other players’ mouths.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/2045996022380269983
This isn’t about finding a GM smart enough to identify a few “value” free agents; it’s about hiring a leader savvy enough to rebuild the management team, the coaching staff, set a direction on and off the ice, and see it through.

With all of the above in mind, this is why Mike Gillis really stands out as a candidate. He’s just about the only one they’ve reportedly interviewed who has actually tackled a job like this one, and he did very well at it. All of the other candidates look more like a number-two option, below Gillis, on paper.
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I don't know about the others, but if Pridham was interviewed for GM and doesn't get it, why would he stay? He obviously wants more responsibility or he wouldn't have put in for a promotion.
 
ZBBM said:
I don't know about the others, but if Pridham was interviewed for GM and doesn't get it, why would he stay? He obviously wants more responsibility or he wouldn't have put in for a promotion.
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Per Friedman, a lot of AGMs operate in silos and aren’t able to gain the requisite experience for the full GM role. Every team/org does things a bit differently and executive development is not always a given.

Pridham has interviewed elsewhere a few seasons now; Dubas offered him a seat in the Pittsburgh FO, but he turned it down to stay. By many accounts, he has been handling trade calls and negotiations for the GMs here on top of his cap planning/maneuvering duties over the years. Per Friedman, he has ‘golden handcuffs’ that basically pays him at a GM level relative to other markets.

All that put together reads like… he’d be open to GMing in Toronto, or staying here to absorb a larger variety of roles where he’s already comfortable and has cachet without the slings and arrows that inevitably target the first chair.
 
Seravelli is hinting that the decision is probably landing by the end of this week (NHL has often asked teams to hold off on certain announcements during league events; i.e. playoffs kicking off), ahead of the original estimated timeframe of mid/end of May.

Some non-mainstream people are saying their rumour-sources are shaping it to look like a 3-person hiring announcement.

Candidate profiles that were being prepped for the past couple of weeks will be coming out now to try to get ahead of the announcement, springboarding off Friedman’s quick rundown of who has interviewed.

www.pensionplanpuppets.com

Maple Leafs Candidates for "the job"

A short summary of who the people are whose names have been mentioned.
www.pensionplanpuppets.com www.pensionplanpuppets.com
thehockeywriters.com

Which GM Will Reshape the Maple Leafs — And Keep Auston Matthews? - The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

Of the early GM candidates, which hire would be most willing to keep Auston Mathtews with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
thehockeywriters.com thehockeywriters.com
clutchpoints.com

Maple Leafs rumors: The 7 candidates Toronto has interviewed for vacant GM role

Maple Leafs have already interviewed seven candidates for the vacant General Manager's position, and more to follow
clutchpoints.com clutchpoints.com
 
herman said:
Seravelli is hinting that the decision is probably landing by the end of this week (NHL has often asked teams to hold off on certain announcements during league events; i.e. playoffs kicking off), ahead of the original estimated timeframe of mid/end of May.

Some non-mainstream people are saying their rumour-sources are shaping it to look like a 3-person hiring announcement.

Candidate profiles that were being prepped for the past couple of weeks will be coming out now to try to get ahead of the announcement, springboarding off Friedman’s quick rundown of who has interviewed.

www.pensionplanpuppets.com

Maple Leafs Candidates for "the job"

A short summary of who the people are whose names have been mentioned.
www.pensionplanpuppets.com www.pensionplanpuppets.com
thehockeywriters.com

Which GM Will Reshape the Maple Leafs — And Keep Auston Matthews? - The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

Of the early GM candidates, which hire would be most willing to keep Auston Mathtews with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
thehockeywriters.com thehockeywriters.com
clutchpoints.com

Maple Leafs rumors: The 7 candidates Toronto has interviewed for vacant GM role

Maple Leafs have already interviewed seven candidates for the vacant General Manager's position, and more to follow
clutchpoints.com clutchpoints.com
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3 person? So Gillis, whichever GM he decides and Sundin as some special advisor or assistant GM?
 
Zee said:
3 person? So Gillis, whichever GM he decides and Sundin as some special advisor or assistant GM?
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Yeah, that's the sketch of it. Sundin would be like Spezza/Doan, and I'm guessing they're just using the existing search process to figure out the GM position.
 
herman said:
Yeah, that's the sketch of it. Sundin would be like Spezza/Doan, and I'm guessing they're just using the existing search process to figure out the GM position.
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My guess would be Gillis President, Sundin Senior VP, Cassidy (head coach) as the 3 hires. Pridham named GM.
 
I think, if Cassidy was the guy ownership wanted, he would have been hired already. I think we're looking more at someone like Malhotra - someone with experience behind the bench, but never as the head guy in the NHL.
 
Is Seravalli anything other than a rumour monger at this point. I feel like he just throws stuff at the wall and is wrong an awful lot to the point that people actually call out some of his takes.

It feels like Gillis is going to be the guy at the top at this point. Unless there is a complete darkhorse that comes out of nowhere we aren't going to steal a Jim Nill or the absurd Tulsky hypothesizing that was happening.
 
L K said:
Is Seravalli anything other than a rumour monger at this point. I feel like he just throws stuff at the wall and is wrong an awful lot to the point that people actually call out some of his takes.

It feels like Gillis is going to be the guy at the top at this point. Unless there is a complete darkhorse that comes out of nowhere we aren't going to steal a Jim Nill or the absurd Tulsky hypothesizing that was happening.
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I wish people just ignored him like hockey media is seemingly doing. Dude was supposed to be the next Bob McKenzie at TSN which he left allegedly on his own will to go work for a website that was mostly known for posting line-up combinations and starting goalies and now he's left that too (again allegedly on his own will) and is currently jobless.
 
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