The Kyle Dubas era in Toronto is over and the search for the next Maple Leafs general manager is about to begin.
Dubas was undoubtedly one of the best GMs in Leafs history, putting together a 2021-22 team that was the franchise’s best in regular season history while also transforming the organization to be more forward-thinking. So he leaves massive shoes to fill.
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There is no shortage of decisions for the next GM to make. What to do with one or more of the core four forwards, two of whom have only one year remaining on their contracts? What should be done with coach Sheldon Keefe, who was brought up through the Leafs organization by Dubas but has only one playoff series win? What to do with more than $20 million in cap space?.
There will be questions for the next GM in terms of style, as well. Will they go with more of an old-school type, moving off Dubas’s progressive ways? Or will they look for a younger, up-and-comer, much as they did when hiring Dubas out of the OHL in 2014?
During his press conference on Friday, team president Brendan Shanahan said, “My focus now after I’m done with this is immediately to begin the pursuit of interviewing candidates for the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
So let’s take a look at a very early list of possible candidates to be the next Leafs GM.
Brandon Pridham
The longtime Leafs assistant GM was arguably Dubas’s second-in-command since being hired as a special assistant to the GM in 2014. Hired to be the team’s capologist, Pridham became known as a master of the intricacies of the salary cap after spending time working for the NHL’s central registry department. It was that experience that helped him and the team fit the Leafs’ highly-priced core forwards under contract and then complete the ongoing and necessary salary cap gymnastics afterward. Pridham has reportedly been the target of the Calgary Flames and their GM search but there’s no one that understands the current state of the Leafs roster like Pridham.
Worth noting, Shanahan said Friday that “having an experienced general manager would be an attractive quality.”
Brad Treliving
Treliving was the Flames’ GM from 2014 to 2023. The Flames qualified for the playoffs in five of those nine seasons, never making it past the second round. Treliving has plenty of experience, previously serving as the Coyotes’ assistant GM. In his time as Flames GM though, Treliving was never been afraid of taking big swings, including a 2022 trade that saw him ship out Matthew Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar when it became clear Tkachuk would not return to Calgary as a restricted free agent. Perhaps that kind of experience with big-name players could put him in the running. He’s still under contract with the Flames, who have been hesitant to let him interview for other jobs.
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Eric Tulsky
The Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM has been with the organization since 2014, rising from analyst to director of analytics to his current position. Every time there’s a GM opening, Tulsky’s name is brought up and with good reason: If an organization wants a progressive and thoughtful GM who has built a well-rounded team (and has a recent history of drafting well, too) Tulsky’s name deserves to be at the top of the list. There is perhaps an argument to be made that Tulsky’s style is too close to Dubas’s but that’s unfair to each person’s personality. The Leafs would be wise to at least inquire about Tulsky if they want to continue building out a responsible franchise.
Hayley Wickenheiser
One of the greatest hockey players of all time, Wickenheiser spent four years as director of player development with the Leafs before moving into an assistant GM role. Young players in the Leafs organization believe her detailed approach and strong communication helped benefit their careers. So Wickenheiser, like others on this list, understands the Leafs team and what’s expected of them.
Mathieu Darche
The former NHL winger played a role with the NHL Players’ Association during negotiations throughout the 2012-13 lockout. He spent the past four seasons as director of hockey operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning before moving into the assistant GM role. Working for one of the most successful NHL franchises ought to put him into consideration for any GM opening. Darche worked alongside Lightning GM Julien BriseBois on key decisions. And BriseBois is an aggressive GM himself. If Darche can bring some of that attitude to a roster that will likely require an overhaul, shouldn’t he be in contention?
Jamie Pushor
On that note, if you’re going to add from an elite NHL franchise, maybe the Leafs shouldn’t stop at Darche. What about Pushor, who has been with the Lightning since 2011? That experience matters. He’s moved from a scout to director of scouting to director of player personnel and assistant GM. The Leafs have had an up-close view of the continually impressive rosters the Lightning have built. You wonder if someone like Pushor could help build something similar for the Leafs.
Scott Nichol
The Nashville Predators assistant GM and director of player development also made Rob Rossi’s recent list of potential Pittsburgh Penguins GM candidates. There’s reason to like Nichol: He has 15 seasons worth of experience working with one of the NHL’s most respected GMs, David Poile. He also had a lengthy professional career and was a finalist for the Sharks GM opening and has a growing reputation as someone who can get the most out of young players and their development. Perhaps he could also be tasked with putting the right people in place to facilitate more prospect growth within the Leafs organization because, and stop me if you’ve heard this before, the Leafs are going to need young players on cheap contracts to contribute soon enough.
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Honourable mentions
Ryan Hardy: The Leafs assistant GM only has two years of working in the NHL under his belt, both as GM of the Toronto Marlies. But he’s long been thought of as one of hockey’s up-and-comers, having previously worked as a scout for the Boston Bruins and then revolutionizing the USHL’s Chicago Steel, now a preeminent junior hockey franchise known for developing talented players built to succeed in the modern game.
There is a case to be made that it’s too soon for Hardy to take on such a prominent role, but it also feels likely that he’ll be an NHL GM eventually.
Jason Spezza: Spezza only has one year of front office experience under his belt as special assistant to Dubas, but his 20-year professional career that only ended in 2022 puts him in a different class. He knows the Leafs players remarkably well and understands the modern game. Spezza has wants to be a GM eventually. It may take a few more years of seasoning before he gets there, though.
Update: Spezza resigned from his role with the Maple Leafs on Friday morning.
Mark Hunter: The former Leafs assistant GM lost out to Dubas when Lou Lamoriello left the organization in 2018. His name will therefore be attached to the team in some manner moving forward. Could he resurface as a possible candidate after returning to the OHL’s London Knights as GM?
(Photo of Brad Treliving: Sergei Belski / USA Today)
