Surprising name emerges as candidate for Maple Leafs' GM job

A surprising name has emerged on Saturday as a possible successor to Brad Treliving as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Sunny Mehta, an assistant general manager with the Florida Panthers.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Mehta is one of the names to keep an eye on in Toronto's search for a new GM.

To start, Friedman confirmed that "major changes" are expected within the Canadian franchise, after Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley held a Zoom call with members of the hockey operations department.

"And just from talking to a few people after it was over and in the last couple of days, it's pretty clear that they are expecting major change," Friedman said.

Maple Leafs eyeing Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta for top job

That said, Friedman assured that Mehta will be a "factor" in Toronto's search for a new GM. 

"One name I do think is going to be part of Toronto's search, and he's been kind of discussed this week, is Sunny Mehta, one of the assistant general managers of the Florida Panthers. I do think he's going to be a factor," Friedman said.

On March 30, the Maple Leafs confirmed the firing of Brad Treliving. Meanwhile, already out of playoff contention, the franchise continues to trust Craig Berube as head coach, at least for now.

As Friedman noted, major changes are expected heading into the offseason, making it more than reasonable to think that Berube's position is not secure.