The Maple Leafs are ditching the committee model to hire a single powerhouse leader for the front office
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs front office plans have reportedly shifted as the team now looks to add a head of hockey operations.
Veteran names such as Doug Armstrong and Mike Gillis could now be on the table for the Leafs as word from Elliotte Friedman says that Toronto is open to adding a senior role to their GM search.
Having initially planned to keep the role open, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be now shifting course and eyeing a President of Hockey Operations after earlier reports said the role would remain vacant.
The Leafs have kept the spot open since not renewing the contract of Brendan Shanahan, but haven't filled the spot this season
Things could change for Toronto this offseason, showing a stacked front office if MLSE wants to put money further after ending their GM search.
Why heavyweight targets like Doug Armstrong and Mike Gillis are driving the shift in the front office structure
With younger, first time names such as Sunny Mehta leading as the frontrunner options in the Leafs GM search, a veteran team President to compliment starts looking more possible.
The Leafs were hesitant to add beyond a general manager, but as their search for a GM looks increasingly younger, adding a veteran to supervise and rein in begins to make sense.
Gillis was an early proponent of analytics in hockey, and has GM experience, yet has not wanted to return into management, which would fit him into a potential team president role.
Armstrong worked alongside Leafs head coach Craig Berube in St. Louis. It could be a vote of confidence for Berube, but would add that veteran presence in the management room.
The end of the boardroom era and why a single head of hockey operations is the win Toronto needs
The Toronto Maple Leafs would still be giving any GM the freedom to make their own moves and decisions, but have a veteran presence to keep the management in check.
The one critique given the most to former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was that he was too friendly in making deals and giving money away. Toronto adding a veteran team president could reel in the potential excesses.
An inexperienced front office in a crucial offseason for Toronto can't afford to get this free agency wrong, meaning the Leafs need strong decision makers and could force the need for a veteran.
MLSE has indicated to be more focused, but hands-off, but would want someone in the room to keep a potential first time GM from going off the rails, but guiding them into a successful path to succeed on their own on the management side.
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The Maple Leafs' pursuit of local star TJ Hughes ends as the Hamilton native chooses Colorado instead
The Maple Leafs' pursuit of local star TJ Hughes ends as the Hamilton native chooses Colorado instead
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 12|889 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs are ditching the committee model to hire a single powerhouse leader for the front office Do you think the Maple Leafs are going to be better with a Team President? | ||
| Yes | 645 | 72.6 % |
| No | 244 | 27.4 % |
| List of polls | ||