NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Search

It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the end of the regular season for the 2025-26 campaign. However, we’ve seen some stunning dismissals in the last few weeks. Two clubs have made a change behind the bench with a handful games left in the season. However, many are talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs firing general manager Brad Treliving. Some thought the move would be going, but not many expected the dismissal to happen before the end of the season.

Today’s edition of NHL rumours deals with the fallout from that move and possible candidates that could next take the post.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

A Look at Possible Candidates for the Toronto Maple Leafs GM Job

Rumours: We take a look at the list of possible candidates to replace Treliving as the team’s general manager. All the candidates come from a variety of sources.

Analysis: We start off with Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show as he lays out some of the names that he’s heard in conversations. One of the main names that’s come up is outgoing St Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong. The veteran executive will be replaced by Alexander Steen, but there’s still a demand for Armstrong.

One other former general manager Johnston mentioned was former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, who was fired in the middle of the season. Adams did see his tenure end unceremoniously, but he did play a hand in Buffalo ending its length Stanley Cup Playoff drought.

Johnston also mentioned a few candidates that have yet to be a general manager at the NHL level. Names like Hall of Fame defenceman Chris Pronger, Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta, Boston Bruins AGM Evan Gold, and Carolina Hurricanes AGM Tyler Dellow were also mentioned.

What It Means

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman offered his thoughts on the Leafs’ general manager search. Toronto did hire Treliving last time out. However, Friedman mentions that there were some factions that wanted to talk to Armstrong last time around. This was on the FAN Hockey Show, but the insider wasn’t done breaking down the situation.

Friedman added that Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment thought about bringing Treliving back with changes. However, management ultimately decided to go ahead and relieve Treliving of his duties. The timing of firing seems odd. However, the Vegas Golden Knights and the New York Islanders have proven that it’s not a new thing this season in firing their respective coaches.

There’s plenty of pressure to get the Leafs back on track after a disappointing season. The new general manager will have plenty to deal with when they take the post. They’ll have to decide on if they’ll do a complete teardown or a retooling. The new GM will also have to decide if Craig Berube is the right man behind the bench for the Leafs.

Toronto’s new general manager will also have to decide the future on a plethora of players. However, the biggest question will have to be what happens to team captain Auston Matthews. The new GM has to figure out if the gold medal winner is in or out in the Six.