Tampa blocked Julien BriseBois from Toronto and now you know how high the Maple Leafs were actually aiming
The Maple Leafs were trying to bring in Julien BriseBois to help their front office but Tampa rejected any chance of that, but it shows Toronto was aiming high.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs look to finish their GM search up by the draft lottery, there is a likelihood that it's going to be a Mats Sundin and John Chayka partnership, though there is still a chance for others to make their claim including Dallas Stars assistant Scott White; who is still in the running.
Hopefully that gets sorted out before too long, and hopefully it wasn't a rushed decision on behalf of Keith Pelley and MLSE. It would be really unfortunate for Toronto to spend all this time on a bust, and it's going to make fans (and the captain) even more frustrated.
While the decision to bring in Sundin and Chayka could prove to be fruitful, there is a world where this wouldn't have been an argument if the Maple Leafs had gotten their way — and Tampa played ball.
The Maple Leafs went after the man who built two consecutive Stanley Cup champions showing unseen ambition
Elliotte Friedman brought up the fact that the Maple Leafs were targeting Julien BriseBois; the architect of the Tampa Bay Lightning dynasty, for their front office but the Lightning flat out rejected the proposal:
James Mirtle had a line about Toronto being turned down asking to speak a current general manager, I believe that was Julien BriseBois of the Tampa Bay Lightning. I think that's who and I don't think anyone is shocked the Lightning would say no.
While it's no surprise to see that Tampa said no way to losing the guy who literally built their powerhouse, it is a bit surprising to see that the Maple Leafs were actually willing to go to those lengths.
We heard all the names who were potentially available like Mike Gillis, Ryan Martin, Evan Gold, and of course Sundin and Chayka. But to have the fortitude to approach one of your rivals and steal their GM shows that the Maple Leafs were leaving no stone unturned — even if there was no gold underneath.
Plus their last GM choices weren't exactly the heaviest hitters either. Brad Treliving was a bust, Kyle Dubas was great but never given enough rope, and then it was Lou Lamoriello, Brian Burke, Dave Nonis, John Ferguson Jr...big names but ones that never found their previous success.
BriseBois has been GM with the club since 2018 and won two straight Cups, and consistently finishes as the best or one of the best teams in the league year after year; that's a heavy hitter.
You have to at least give credit for Toronto having the guts to aim big and it shows that while they may not be bringing in the biggest hitter; it's not for a lack of trying.
Tampa said no but the rejection alone changes how fans should feel about the Maple Leafs GM search
Does it suck that Tampa Bay flat out refused even the chance to speak to BriseBois? Sure, but as a fan you need to understand that this actually is a positive.
Tampa Bay obviously wants to keep their wizard of a GM, but what if it's out of fear and not pride? Tampa seeing Toronto boldly approach them wanting a chat could have spooked the daylights out of them knowing how serious they are about changing things.
Teams need to be scared about what the Maple Leafs may do, and with such a wild-card and frankly muddy situation — they can use that to their advantage. While Sundin and Chayka are the frontrunners, what if they aren't done talking?
What if the team were to come out and say they interviewed someone like Kevin Cheveldayoff or Bull Armstrong — even Eric Tulsky himself after Pelley name dropped him?
BriseBois may not be the only one they are looking at for current GMs and Toronto can blindside teams who weren't expecting to be broached; a smokescreen of sorts.
Fans need to at least appreciate that Toronto is willing to go to those lengths and do everything they can to improve the team.
Since a lot of that starts in the front office, going after the biggest fish isn't a bad idea. It's just a shame he wasn't even allowed a nibble.
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