Insider gives update on Brandon Pridham's status as Leafs' AGM
There has been more than enough chatter about the status of certain front office members within the Leafs organization since Kyle Dubas' departure, but none have come up more than current Assistant General Manager Brandon Pridham. Pridham is the cap wizard that has helped the Leafs get out of sticky situations on multiple occasions over the years and has been Dubas' right hand man since he took over.
Since Dubas' departure to Pittsburgh, many have believed that Pridham will be following him there at some point to take on the GM position, something that other teams have asked permission to speak to him about in the past. The Leafs, of course, declined those teams' requests and have done everything they can to keep Pridham with the organization. On today's 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman shared the most recent update he has on Pridham and what the hiring of Shane Doan means for the Leafs.
"Pittsburgh has made it clear they're going to wait to do the GM. I think this will take time to unfold. I don't think Doan has anything to do with Pridham. When Brad Treliving made his pitch to be GM, he included the idea of Doan joining him. I think he wanted Doan there because of the Arizona connection. The Matthews and Knies thing played a role in it. I think with Pridham, Pittsburgh will reach out to talk to him but the Leafs want to keep him."
Essentially Friedman is confirming that Dubas wants Pridham as his GM, but will likely have to jump through hoops to make that happen. Specifically because of how his exit was handled and the things that have happened since then. Pridham is still under contract, so if the Leafs would prefer to retain Pridham for the time being or decline him permission to speak with other teams while under contract with the Leafs, that's an option.
Once Pridham's deal is up, the Leafs obviously won't be able to offer Pridham the GM job in Toronto, but as we've seen, money talks and maybe an increase in pay and responsibility for Pridham will convince him to stay. As Friedman said, we won't know more until after the draft and free agency begins so there is no need to hold your breath on this one.
