If history is any indicator, we can confidently predict who Brad Treliving will sign first as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's a player that Treliving has had on his team for 13 of the last 15 seasons.
Defenceman Michael Stone was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008 when Treliving served as the team's Assistant General Manager. Treliving moved on to Calgary in 2014 and signed Stone as a free agent in 2017. Since then, Treliving has signed Stone to five contract extensions.
If Stone wants to follow Treliving, he'll have a significant decision to make. He reportedly has deep family ties in Calgary and has signed league minimum deals to stay there. However, he is a free agent in the offseason, and it's unclear whether the new GM in Calgary, Craig Conroy, is interested in retaining him. His options outside of following Treliving may be limited.
Stone is a large player (standing six-foot-three and weighing 210 lbs.) with a wealth of NHL experience. Between the Flames and Coyotes, the only two teams he's ever played for in the NHL, Stone has suited up in 552 regular-season games, scoring 41 goals and tallying 145 points. Stone has also played 15 playoff games, adding three goals and three assists.
