Report: Maple Leafs rule out GM candidate, two finalists remain

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their search for a new general manager after the firing of Brad Treliving. According to reports, the Canadian franchise has already ruled out one candidate, and there are at least a couple in advanced stages of selection.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Ryan Martin has been ruled out by Toronto. Martin is currently the associate GM of the New York Rangers. On the other hand, John Chayka and Scott White remain finalists.

"From what I understand, that second phase didn't happen for any of the candidates. I'm told Ryan Martin from the Rangers was informed sometime after that meeting that even though he had a couple of great interviews and they were impressed, he wouldn't be advancing further and that he wouldn't be the next GM," Friedman said on Friday's episode of "32 Thoughts."

"Martin has interviewed in Nashville. We'll see how he does in these other searches. He did nothing to hurt himself here. They ultimately moved on, which leaves White and Chayka."

John Chayka emerges as favorite for Maple Leafs GM job, per Elliotte Friedman

He added, "The thing that's most interesting about that is that they're very different candidates, almost polar opposites: age, background, expertise, experience, everything about them is almost completely different. I don't know if you could find two different people if you tried."

John Chayka is the former general manager of the Arizona Coyotes and, before that, the assistant GM of the now-defunct Phoenix franchise. On the other hand, Scott White is currently the general manager of the Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate.

Friedman noted that, at this point, Chayka is the favorite to be Toronto's new GM. A surprising option due to his youth and inexperience.