As we approach the one-month mark since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving, anticipation around who they will hire next continues to grow.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday that the Maple Leafs had narrowed their search down to three candidates.
On Friday, in the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, he provided further information on who they are and how it appears the Maple Leafs are leaning.
“I have more clarity since our last pod,” said Friedman. “I said the finalists were Ryan Martin from the Rangers, Scott White from the Stars, and either John Chayka or Evan Gold from the Bruins — I wasn’t sure about the third one. I now believe it was Chayka. It was Chayka, Martin and White.
“And, in addition, what I heard is that they were all invited back to Toronto on Tuesday for in-person interviews, and they were all told there was the possibility that a favourite may be invited to stay and meet with the head of Rogers, Edward Rogers, on Wednesday, and could advance to a final stage. … From what I understand, that second phase did not happen for any one of the candidates. They all met.”
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32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
According to Friedman, sometime following that meeting, Martin was informed that “even though he had a couple of great interviews and they were impressed, he wasn’t advancing further and that he wouldn’t be the next GM.” He added that Martin “did nothing to hurt himself here, they just ultimately moved on.”
So, that appears to leave just White and Chayka competing for the job.
“The thing that’s most interesting about that is that they are very different candidates, almost polar opposites,” Friedman said. “Age, background, expertise, experience, everything about them is almost completely different. I don’t know if you could find two more different people if you tried.
“Now, Nick (Kypreos) had talked about (on Sportsnet’s Real Kyper & Bourne on Thursday) that he thought it was going to be Chayka. I do believe the organization is leaning that way at this time, but, and it is possible, I think Chayka gets it, but I think we’re far from done. I don’t think anything’s going to be done this week. I don’t think anything’s going to be done this weekend.”
Friedman then noted that the “slight pause” the Maple Leafs are taking is likely due diligence to ensure they haven’t missed anyone else they could consider.
One name he raises as curious not to be hearing about is Jason Spezza.
“What I found out is that I believe a couple of teams in this process have gauged his interest, and he has indicated this is not his time. He has politely declined. Apparently, he has told other teams that he still has more to learn, and when he does look at becoming a manager, he wants to make sure he’s ready. And that time is not now.”
Also, in regard to Mats Sundin, whose name has circulated in terms of someone the Maple Leafs could add to the front office, Friedman raised his curiosity about what could be going on there.
“I want to see, when this is all over, if Sundin is part of this,” Friedman said. “And I do think they want him to be part of this. I am very curious to see what it’s all going to look like. I just wonder if there’s an undersell going on here. … They had him here, they were talking to him. I just wonder if there’s any chance that it’s not just an advisor (role), if it’s something bigger than that.
“I freely admit I could be wrong, but the underselling of his role, it’s got my antenna up. Maybe it doesn’t work out. Maybe they both decide to go in a different direction, but I’m just wondering about it.”