Leafs to make a pair of front office changes, two execs will not return next season
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced this afternoon that there will be some new faces coming in to replace a pair of executives, as Sr. Director, Player Evaluation Jim Paliafito and hockey research and development analyst Cam Charron have been relieved of their duties with the club. Based on their positions, it could be related to what Dubas mentioned in his end of season press conference. He mentioned that it was time for their prospects to go from prospects and marlies players to NHLers.
Given both positions, it appears that the Leafs believe some of their prospects are behind where they should be and fresh voices and perspectives are needed. Additionally, this could also mark a change in drafting philosophy for the Leafs. In the past under Dubas, the Leafs have opted for smaller, faster skilled players over larger players and have missed out on some draft picks in the later rounds that are already in the NHL and steps ahead of their current prospects. One of these is Mason Marchment, who was a Leaf prospect but was seen as more of an AHLer or bubble player when they shipped him off to Florida for Denis Malgin, who now plays in Europe. Marchment is the type of player the Leafs could've used against Tampa and Dubas is still probably kicking himself for making that trade.
It will be an interesting off-season for the Leafs all around beginning with the draft in Montreal at the beginning of July. Although they don't have many picks, expect the Leafs to make some noise via the trade route to free up cap space and perhaps acquire some additional draft capital.
