The Maple Leafs want Doug Armstrong but even insiders can’t agree on whether he’s actually available
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
James Mirtle says Doug Armstrong is the man Toronto wants as their next GM. Elliotte Friedman says there is conflicting information on whether Armstrong is even interested. Those two reports should tell you exactly how good the Maple Leafs' search is going.
The Toronto Maple Leafs general manager search is clear, but what isn't is who is available and who isn't, and the reporting on who might be taking the lead isn't providing any additional help.
Leafs reporter James Mirtle said Tuesday that St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong is the candidate that Toronto wants to replace Brad Treliving.
However, Elliotte Friedman said that same day that there isn't any clarity over what Armstrong's level of interest is in Toronto, saying that there is conflicting information on the answer.
The two reports don't directly contradict one another, but make clear that the Leafs have little idea if their interest in Doug Armstrong is mutual with the Blues GM.
Mirtle says Armstrong is the guy the Maple Leafs want and Pelley's presser backed it up
Keith Pelley's recent press conference indicated one thing, and that's that Doug Armstrong needs to prove he's prepared to be a GM of the future.
Pelley indicated that he wants an analytical general manager, someone who would be in the mold of a Kyle Dubas, whether young or old.
Despite being an elder statesman in the executive branch, Armstrong is a GM who has embraced analytics in recent years, and it makes for a positive in his direction.
Something not answered, is if this change shifts the Leafs moves away from Treliving's emphasis on size and physicality, and if that is playing a factor in their search for a new GM.
What may be another option for Toronto, to let Armstrong in control of the team, and bring in a younger analytical voice in the front office.
Friedman says nobody actually knows if Armstrong can leave St. Louis and that changes everything
Even if Doug Armstrong is the guy the Toronto Maple Leafs want, but that doesn't guarantee that he'll be their Brad Treliving replacement.
Chris Johnston reported last week that Doug Armstrong was appearing to transition to another role in the Blues organization, likely to a President of Hockey Operations role.
Armstrong being offered a POHO job by the Leafs could be a potential decision that sways him to Toronto rather than a GM, and looking like a possible option.
This could allow for a more analytical option such as Brandon Pridham, Sunny Mehta, or John Chayka to take the general manager spot, with Armstrong as Team President, a position unfilled this season after not retaining Brendan Shanahan.
Armstrong wouldn't restrict Toronto moving towards a data approach again, but as team President can have greater control, but bring in a younger Dubas-type figure underneath him.
More than anything, Toronto will have to sell themselves as not just a destination that gives freedom to a candidate, but also provides a plan to become contenders once again next season.
The most important question in the Toronto GM search isn't who they want. It's whether anyone they want actually wants them back.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2|1087 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs want Doug Armstrong but even insiders can’t agree on whether he’s actually available Does Doug Armstrong make the most sense of the GM candidates for Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 383 | 35.2 % |
| No | 704 | 64.8 % |
| List of polls | ||