Doug Armstrong's sudden Hockey Canada exit has Maple Leafs fans asking if the next GM just became available
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Doug Armstrong stepped down as Team Canada GM on Tuesday morning. He has a Stanley Cup ring, built one of the most resilient rosters in recent NHL history and it's time for the Maple Leafs to make the call.
On Tuesday morning, it was announced that Armstrong decided to step down from operating as Team Canada GM.
Armstrong explained the decision was a personal one and that he felt that it was time for a change:
I've enjoyed every aspect of it. Obviously, you wish you could go out on top. But it would be selfish to want to do it again. It's such a great experience, and I think more people should enjoy it.
It's a genuine surprise considering that Armstrong has been involved with the Canadian Olympic side since 2002 when he was named Assistant GM, but it's part of a bunch of changes for Armstrong.
Doug Armstrong stepping down from Hockey Canada creates an opportunity for a leadership change
He hands off the GM job to former Maple Leafs forward Alex Steen and is going to transition into a full-time President role, however that doesn't necessarily mean that he'll be doing it in Toronto.
With the Maple Leafs needing to find themselves a new GM and potentially Team President, Armstrong stepping down presents a chance to come in and really make a difference like he did with Canada and the St. Louis Blues.
Armstrong has shown that he cannot only build a winning team, but one that can be continually successful for years to come. He's a free agent so to speak, and with the Maple Leafs facing a punishing internal audit when it comes to management - he's the best available name right now at least in terms of experience and pedigree.
How a Stanley Cup winning executive can fix a broken culture and build resilience
2019 was a great year for Armstrong as he won the Cup with the Blues (coincidentally with Craig Berube in charge) however that team was legitimately built to win.
Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn, Alex Pietrangelo, Pat Maroon, Alex Steen, Colton Parayko, Jay Bouwmeester...the list goes on.
All of those players minus perhaps Tarasenko and Steen are players who are tough as nails, know what it takes to gain the advantage, and it wasn't a star-studded group that was so top heavy.
They had their stars sure, but their sixth-leading scorer was a 32-year old Tyler Bozak, and even their top producer in O'Reilly had 77 points; not really game-breaking offence.
If you want to prove to Auston Matthews that you're serious about not only your future but his, this is a good start. It at least proves the ownership isn't getting complacent and it's time to make a culture shift from the top down.
While Armstrong coming to Toronto is certainly nowhere set in stone, it does give credence to the fact that he may show up at Scotiabank Arena with one goal in mind: Completely transform the Maple Leafs for the better.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Mason McTavish trade package and what it would realistically cost the Maple Leafs
The Mason McTavish trade package and what it would realistically cost the Maple Leafs
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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MARS 17|723 ANSWERS Doug Armstrong's sudden Hockey Canada exit has Maple Leafs fans asking if the next GM just became available Should Toronto hire Doug Armstrong? | ||
| Yes | 529 | 73.2 % |
| No | 194 | 26.8 % |
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