Potential Candidate Emerges for the Toronto Maple Leafs President Role
Photo credit: CHL Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to narrow down their potential future Team President, with former GM Mark Hunter a very likely possibility.
For Brendan Shanahan, the time has come for him to leave the Maple Leafs. His contract isn't being renewed, and he is already heavily linked to the New York Islanders for their President and GM role.
The end of the 'Shana-Plan' didn't end as well as everyone had hoped, leaving the Leafs looking for a new President of Hockey Operations to oversee the day to day of the team.
Among the candidates, former GM Mark Hunter could be a very good option.
Former NHL player Robbie Schremp seems to think so too:
If I was Toronto I would be brining the Brinks truck to London Ontario for Mark Hunter and tell him «take whatever you want, we need you for the next 5 years."
Mark Hunter's History With Toronto
It's a bit ironic that the Maple Leafs will see a former London Knight in Mitch Marner leave, and see a current London Knight face perhaps come in to help the franchise.
No stranger to the team, Hunter was a part of the organization first as Director of Player Personnel, before transitioning into co-General Managers with Kyle Dubas after Dave Nonis was let go.
He stayed on as Assistant GM once Lou Lamoriello came in, but was passed over in favor of Dubas for the GM position once Lamoriello left as well, at which point he and the team mutually agreed to part ways.
It also sent Maple Leafs analyst Nick Kypreos into a rant, explaining Dubas being chosen over him was a terrible choice.
While his tenure with Toronto didn't necessarily end the best, that was seven years ago, and time heals all wounds.
Mark Hunter's Familiarity With Prospects Might Be Key Factor In Hiring
It might take a lot to persuade the current Knights owner and GM to come back to the NHL especially after their torrid success recently; but look at who Toronto has as well.
Easton Cowan and Landon Sim are both both big parts of the Knights.
While Sim is less of a shoe-in for a roster spot, who better than Hunter to help the team make the best decisions with them; especially Cowan, who is poised to potentially make the team out of training camp.
He also got a long hard look at Ben Danford during the OHL Championships, and while his drafting record leaves something to be desired; he isn't the one who pulls the final trigger and might be privy to let the seasoned Brad Treliving make some calls too.
Is Hunter the be all, end all for Toronto's issues? Probably not, as there's still a roster that needs some tinkering with that is the main cause for concern.
But he would certainly have a good hand in turning things around, and his familiarity with both the current roster and the prospects, might just be enough to get things back on track.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 779 ANSWERS Potential Candidate Emerges for the Toronto Maple Leafs President Role Should the Maple Leafs sign Mark Hunter to be their Team President? | ||
| Yes | 462 | 59.3 % |
| No | 317 | 40.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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