The Dallas Stars extend Jim Nill immediately as the Toronto threat sounds a warning shot to every NHL team
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Scratch Jim Nill off the list of possible candidates for the Toronto Maple Leafs GM search as the Dallas Stars extended their long-time executive on Tuesday.
The Brad Treliving firing must have scared the bejeezus out of the Dallas Stars, and knowing that Nill was a frontrunner for the vacant position; they had to act quickly.
According to Elliotte Friedman on X, the Stars organization is extending Nill and that means if the Maple Leafs wanted him as their next GM or President — they are out of luck:
Scratch Dallas GM Jim Nill off the list of Toronto candidates
Word is he has agreed to an extension with the Stars. Smart of them.
Word is he has agreed to an extension with the Stars. Smart of them.
Nill has been part of the Dallas Stars organization since 2013-2014 when he took over as GM. Prior to that he spent 15 years as Assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings from 1998-99 until 2012-2013 and has been part of some serious dynasties over the years.
There is no public word yet on the length or terms of the extension.
The panic in Dallas' front office proves that every executive is weary of the Maple Leafs' situation
So on Monday night at around 8:30PM ET, the Maple Leafs fired Brad Treliving. Friedman's post came at 11:57AM ET on Tuesday. Just about 16 hours after the firing, Nill was locked up.
Do you think Dallas was worried he would potentially jump ship? More than assuredly, and it was clear they wanted no risks whatsoever and perhaps couldn't have bettered Toronto's official offer come the end of the season.
According to reports, Keith Pelley has been dead set on firing Brad Treliving for a while, but needed the blessing of ones even higher up than him. Once he got it though, it was lickity split.
That means Toronto isn't going to mess around this time and wanted to use the extra time to research. That timeframe could have given them a great chance to interview Nill or at least send out the feelers; but this contract prevents that now.
The Maple Leafs provide a very lucrative and intriguing opportunity for GMs. It's the biggest hockey market, with a roster needing help but full of talent, a dedicated and loyal fanbase, a rich history, and come on — imagine you're the guy who brings the Cup back? Build the statue at that point.
Dallas couldn't risk that, and knowing how Nill can turn a pretender into a contender pretty quickly it was a pretty easy decision for President Brad Alberts.
Deep in the heart of Texas: How Jim Nill's new deal puts the focus solely on Doug Armstrong in Toronto
You're not going to find anyone really with the same resume as Nill however there is one name and he becomes the sole focus: Doug Armstrong.
Yes, he is still under contract with the Blues but is stepping down from being the GM. There's no indication if he stays on as President or has some type of succession plan in place, but there's still something big he can pull off.
There's something almost surreal about being the one to lead the Maple Leafs to the Cup because...no one has in nearly 60 years. It's almost as if 1967 was 200 years ago, it feels like several lifetimes.
This new GM, whoever it is will have their hands full with a roster that needs a lot of help. But it's not Armstrong's first rodeo nor is it the first time he turned a middling roster into a powerhouse.
As arguably the top name available with arguably the greatest executive resume in hockey today, Doug Armstrong is going to be the primary focus for the Maple Leafs until something tells us differently.
The only question is whether or not St. Louis will try to put ink to paper just as fast as Dallas did.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Chris Pronger puts the Maple Leafs on notice with his strict conditions for the MLSE to join the front office
Chris Pronger puts the Maple Leafs on notice with his strict conditions for the MLSE to join the front office
Previously on Hockey Patrol