Insider reveals why the Leafs may be waiting to select a new GM
While we have heard Brad Treliving, Marc Bergevin, and even Peter Chiarelli's names all linked to the vacant GM position in Toronto, a part of that is because they are currently unemployed. There are several other candidates who are currently employed elsewhere that may have tickled Brendan Shanahan's fancy. However, since some of these candidates are also currently still active in these playoffs, it has put the Leafs and Shanahan in a bit of a strange position.
Darren Dreger appeared on First Up on Friday to discuss the GM search, why it's taking so long, and why they haven't heard any other names than the ones that keep resurfacing. Dreger believed it was done on purpose:
"[Shanahan] laid out the parameters of what he thinks they need... and at the top of the list is experience. There are experienced guys available... Marc Bergevin comes to mind, he talked to Calgary, he talked to Pittsburgh, could he be in the running? Hard to say. Peter Chiarelli [is another name] - you're talking about the men who aren't current NHL general managers, but have vast general manager experience. I'm not suggesting that they're high on the radar.
Let's go back to the meetings with Treliving. I mean he was first in and I think Shanahan and Brad Treliving spent a good amount of time together earlier this week but you can't just identify one candidate and say okay that's it, there's no sense in us doing any other interviews. You have to go through some process, it won't be nearly as exhaustive as what Pittsburgh is doing but I do think Shanahan plans to talk to other candidates"
Dreger then mentions the possibility of the Leafs waiting out the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars series because they want to interview or reach out to George McPhee and/or Jim Nill:
"You wonder about that and I heard you do some speculating on Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars and others have suggested that and George McPhee is a name that has been out there. Obviously Vegas and Dallas are tied up in a 7-game series after last night that continues. I mean that's all speculation at this point but if there's anything to that speculation, it would make sense if you're Shanahan to wait until the conclusion of the series. I guess the one thing that i would submit though and I'm not pouring cold water on any of those guys because they're both terrific executives.... but McPhee stepped aside to promote Kelly McCrimmon so maybe he prefers the role that he has in Vegas and doesn't want to grind the way that you have to be a full-time NHL general manager."
When pressed about when the decision should be made:
"Sooner rather than later is the only thing that I keep getting from my sources around the Toronto Maple Leafs... Brandon Pridham is a highly capable management executive and there are others who are helping Brandon do the day-to-day and it's not like Brandon is solely focused on the GM search... the Leafs are operating fine day-to-day."
George McPhee was the long-time general manager of the Washington Capitals from 1997-98 to 2013-14 before taking the role with Vegas prior to their expansion draft for 3 years. He then promoted Kelly McCrimmon as he stepped aside to become the President of Hockey Operations. Jim Nill was the long-time assistant general manager in Detroit from 1998-99 to 2012-13. He was then named general manager of the Dallas Stars the following season and has held that position ever since.
Both candidates are highly respected, venerated, have loads of experience, and could bring something new to the Maple Leafs - intangibles that Treliving and company cannot offer. While it may be frustrating to constantly be linked to the same candidates who seemingly don't offer much confidence, at the very least Shanahan is doing his due diligence elsewhere and is trying his best not to make this a public spectacle.
