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Canadian Teams Daily Rumours: Maple Leafs, Canucks & Jets

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Canadian Teams Daily Rumours: Maple Leafs, Canucks & Jets

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Wilson Stillman | Last updated Apr 25, 2026 9:21 PM ET

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In today’s Canadian Teams Daily Rumours, did Jason Spezza turn down his old team for a GM job? Has another Maple Leafs employee – Shane Doan – been approached by the Canucks to be their GM? And, could the best goalie in the NHL be leaving his team?

Let’s take a look at these rumours.

Maple Leafs Rumour: Did Jason Spezza Turn Down Toronto’s GM Job?

Every once in a while, a hockey decision comes along that says more about the person making it than the job itself.

That seems to be the case with Spezza, who has reportedly been approached — including by the Toronto Maple Leafs — about potential general manager positions and has politely declined to even interview.

According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, Spezza has made it clear to multiple teams that this is simply “not his time.” Instead of jumping at the chance to move into a GM chair, he’s chosen to stay on his current path in hockey operations, continuing to learn and build experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

And honestly, that’s a pretty telling decision.

In a league where former players often rush into management roles as soon as they’re offered, Spezza is doing the opposite — basically saying he wants to be ready, not just available. In a market like Toronto, where the pressure never really lets up, that kind of patience might be the smartest move of all.

Canucks Rumour: Is Shane Doan in the Mix for Vancouver’s GM Search?

The Vancouver Canucks are still hunting for a new GM, and the rumours of who’s on the list of names keep getting more interesting. Shane Doan’s name has popped up. Elliotte Friedman says Vancouver asked Toronto for permission to talk to Doan, who’s working as a special advisor with the Maple Leafs.

Doan’s not a proven GM, so it’s not a sure thing — but folks around the league praise his leadership, accountability, and steady presence behind the scenes, which teams often want when they need to reset. It’s not clear if Vancouver sees him as the full-time GM or more of a senior adviser, and the search is widening — Kevyn Adams’ name is out there, plus a few internal options.

Jets Rumour: Could Connor Hellebuyck Really Leave Winnipeg?

Right after the Winnipeg Jets’ season ended, things got interesting fast. Hellebuyck, their franchise goalie and recent Vezina winner, has already found himself in early offseason chatter. Why? Because he made some pretty honest comments about where the team is headed. He admitted it’s hard to talk about a big bounce-back right after missing the playoffs — momentum and confidence take time, yet he stressed he still likes Winnipeg and hasn’t pushed for a trade.

So right now, it sits in that familiar middle ground — concern about direction, but no real action behind it. Still, when you’re talking about a goalie of his calibre, teams around the league are always going to notice. The Jets aren’t shopping him, and he’s not forcing anything. But if things don’t settle down, this is the kind of situation that can pick up speed pretty quickly.

The Daily Wrap

None of these rumours is exploding — at least not yet. But what you do see is three different kinds of NHL storylines playing out at once. A smart decision from a young executive who knows his timing. A team casting a wide net, trying to get its front office right. And a star player sitting in that uncomfortable space between patience and possibility.

That’s usually how these things start. And in this league, “start” has a funny way of turning into something bigger before you know it.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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