The Maple Leafs are planning a full scale raid of the Panthers front office that goes way beyond Sunny Mehta

The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to raid the Florida Panthers for an extensive GM hiring process, according to Elliotte Friedman.

Having been heavily reported with interest of Florida Panthers assistant general manager Sunny Mehta, the Toronto Maple Leafs interest in the reigning Stanley Cup champions is extended beyond just Mehta.

Reported by Elliotte Friedman on 'Saturday Headlines', the Leafs GM search is going to be extensive, focusing on multiple names throughout the process, different from the small pool of candidates that led to the hiring of Brad Treliving.

From the Florida Panthers, Mehta, who wasn't named but strongly hinted as the person the Leafs are looking at out of Florida, but that others in the Panthers organization are being eyed in the hunt for a new GM.

One name who has been linked to other jobs, but not Toronto's, is Panthers AGM Brett Peterson, who will be the GM of Team USA at the upcoming World Championship.

The Toronto Maple Leafs GM search, expected to be a vast and lengthy one, seemingly has Sunny Mehta as a strong favorite, but Brett Peterson could be of interest as well.

Peterson has been linked to the vacancies in New Jersey and Nashville, already a hot commodity across the league and with a major international roster construction incoming.

The Leafs have asked and gained permission from the Panthers to speak with Mehta, but haven't asked on Peterson as of yet, but he's becoming a highly likely candidate to gain a GM role this offseason.

Toronto's focus is an analytical leader, not an old-school anti-data veteran or a former player. Experience doesn't appear to be the top priority this time around.

What isn't clear is if Mehta brings anyone along from Florida to Toronto if he receives the Leafs job. The Panthers have a highly respected data engineer in Amanda Winkelmayer.

Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe will be known by Leafs fans for his time in Toronto as a player, although he doesn't appear poised to leave Florida.

Why bringing the Florida Panthers winning blueprint to Toronto is the priority for Keith Pelley

The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to replicate the data-driven success of the Panthers, while finding a GM who can be more than just a numbers guy.

Specifically, Toronto is trying to replicate Florida's ability to find diamonds in the rough such as Gustav Forsling and Anthony Stolarz, players of low cost value who can contribute at a high level.

Florida, like Toronto, has fallen from grace this season out of the playoffs picture, but the Panthers were dealt a harsher hand on the injury front.

But, Toronto's next step comes from one of the key factors to Florida's success that comes on the ice, that being talented players.

Despite all the talent in the Panthers front office and bench, it's the players of equal ability that provides a necessary balance of on & off the ice talent.

Toronto's offseason after their GM hire will next shift to what should be a competitive free agency with a potential first time GM, and why the Leafs need beyond an analytics leader, someone who has the toughness to get deals done.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Leafs’ top hockey ops candidate turned 4th and 5th round picks into Stanley Cup champions