Leafs Seeking Redemption in GM Search: Past Mistakes Catching Up – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs
When the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Brad Treliving as their general manager in May 2023, the steps they took to get their guy were not strong. Perhaps timing was a factor as the NHL Draft and free agency were fast approaching. Maybe they think they need someone in the area immediately. On the other hand, maybe they were lazy.
As TSN’s Chris Johnston revealed on The Chris Johnston Show on Friday, the search was difficult.
Map Leaves Did Not Perform a Full Search
According to Johnston, the Maple Leafs’ search at the time was incomplete. He explained:
“Obviously, there were some time pressures, to get someone in place when the draft started and then be ready for free agency. The only people I know the Leafs talked to at that time, obviously, were Brad Treliving, and Marc Bergevin. There may have been another interview or two that I haven’t heard about, but the point wasn’t a long list of candidates or didn’t make a long list.”
That shortened path has become a cautionary tale as the Leafs go through the process again.
Maple Leafs Need to Do Well This Season
Treliving’s three-year tenure ended when Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley fired him after a disappointing season. He cited a lack of culture and results as an issue, but the Leafs, as an organization, should bear the brunt of the blame here. Pelley may never admit it publicly, but if he believes the organization dropped the ball on their last recruiting process, it might explain why he’s going to great lengths this time to do things differently.
In the weeks since Treliving’s departure, the Leafs have launched what Pelley called an “exhaustive search” for their next head of hockey. They have hired a search firm to help them with their long list of candidates and are still unclear as to whether the role will be independent GM, president of hockey, or a hybrid.
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Pelley deliberately left that flexibility. What is negotiable is a “data-centric” leader who is free to rely on evidence-based decision-making in the modern NHL. However, that could be a few people and if team management collaboration is brought in, only one person needs to cover the data side of things.
In an effort to leave nothing behind, Toronto retained Neil Glasberg and The Coaches Agency (PBI Sports) to expertly manage the process. The company, which has done top searches for Vancouver, Anaheim, and Philadelphia, helps cast a wide net. Say what you will about potential conflicts of interest with the firm’s selection, it’s clear Pelley doesn’t want to take this on alone.
He has received interest from at least seven others, and the Maple Leafs have received permission to speak with Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta. Other names in the mix include former GM Mike Gillis, who Pelley is said to have had many conversations with.
Don’t Expect These To Be The Only Candidates
What seems clear is that Mehta and Gillis are not the only names running. Pelley aims to have a candidate in place by mid-May, but is likely to interview a few candidates. That’s a must if the Maple Leafs want to avoid the same mistake they made last time.
Hiring Glasberg, expanding the candidate pool, and refusing to rush despite concerns about the timeline all provide evidence that the Leafs are trying something different. In fact, the stakes are too high to do this any other way and get it wrong.
This time, Toronto isn’t just filling a seat. Create a better process and ultimately build a competitor.
