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Insider reveals timeline for the Leafs to announce a new GM

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Mike Armenti
May 26, 2023 (3:34 PM)

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Last week, when Brendan Shanahan addressed the media following the team's less than amicable split with now ex-GM Kyle Dubas, it seemed as though the Leafs were playing with fire, as not only are Auston Matthews and William Nylander due contract extensions on July 1st, but both have a lot of trust in Dubas. Matthews, in specific, has gone on the record in stating that he has a great relationship with Dubas.

Now, a week after the fact, the Leafs still have not inked a new general manager, and given where we stand and the timeline that is slowly shrinking between now and the draft to get a sense of where Nylander, Matthews and even Mitch Marner stand in terms of their commitment to the team before their no-trade and no-movement clauses kick in on July 1st, it's causing some unrest among the Leafs' fanbase.

Shanahan had stated last week that he wanted to lock down a new GM ASAP, but he also contradicted himself and said that the team was in no rush to make a decision. Well, now we finally appear to have a timeline on when to expect a decision from Shanahan and the Leafs.

During his most recent edition of The Chris Johnston Show under the SDPN banner, NHL Insider Chris Johnston revealed that the Leafs could be closing in on a decision. Per CJ himself, the Leafs could be zeroing in on who they want and are likely to announce who the successful candidate for the GM job in Toronto within one week.

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"I think in the Leafs' case, we obviously recognize the time crunch and I think they have a very clear idea of what they're looking for. I think Brad Treliving fits the bill, but we'll have to see. I don't know how those interviews went, I don't know how he was perceived, I don't know how he came across during those interviews... I think it could happen within days, or a week, say. I don't see this stretching into June, or too far into June, which is a little less than a week from now. I think by necessity of their situation, they need to address it quickly. Unless there's a curveball, or they really go through the first set of interviews and they're like 'you know what, we just don't have the right person.' Maybe they have to take a step back and consider some other options. Assuming there aren't any curveballs here, I think it could be done really quickly." - Johnston on the Leafs' timeline to announce a new GM

This is great news, although it doesn't necessarily leave the new GM a lot of time to get his ducks in a row before free agency opens up on July 1st. The Leafs have an abundance of UFAs and RFAs in need of a new deal and presumably approximately $20M to spend. It should be an interesting next 7 days and, beyond that, an intriguing next few weeks for the organization. As for the potential candidates who are expected to receive some face time with the Leafs, DFO's Frank Seravalli believes Brad Treliving, Jason Botterill, Marc Bergevin and Peter Chiarelli will all be at least interviewed.

If you'd like to check out the full episode of CJ's podcast, you can check it out at the link provided below:

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Insider reveals some candidates expected to interview for Leafs GM job; some of them will not go over well with fans

Dubas' indecision has already cost him his job in Toronto; now, it may also cost him a second GM job

The true price that the Leafs paid to keep Alex Kerfoot and why Leafs Nation should be angrier than they are

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26 MAI \| 471 ANSWERS Insider reveals timeline for the Leafs to announce a new GM Will the Leafs announce a new GM before Wednesday?
Yes	223	47.3 %
No	248	52.7 %
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