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The Toronto Maple Leafs' search for a new GM could have hit an unexpected timeline, according to the latest chatter.

The biggest Maple Leafs storyline of 2026 offseason has been the ongoing search for a new general manager (GM). That search has taken multiple twists and turns. The field of potential replacements for Brad Treliving has gone from a wide net to a narrow field of just two candidates.

At one point, the Maple Leafs were on the cusp of naming their next GM as soon as this past weekend. However, that was not the case. As insider Elliotte Friedman pointed out, some inside the organization believed the announcement could take longer.

And that’s where the situation stands. As another notable insider noted, the announcement for the Maple Leafs’ next GM could drag into May. Darren Dreger made it clear that the next executive to occupy the key managerial role might have to wait a bit longer.

That unanticipated timeline could be an interesting turning point. The NHL Draft Lottery will be on May 5. While it’s not a requisite for the Maple Leafs to have a GM in place at that time, it would be wise for the organization to have some meaningful representation.

Maple Leafs Reportedly Down to 2 Candidates

The latest chatter has focused on the Maple Leafs whittling their shortlist down to two candidates. Those two candidates are reportedly former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka and current Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White.

This interesting article took a closer look at both candidates. That said, Chayka and his checkered history could make the optics of his hire a little questionable. Nevertheless, the consensus has been that Chayka was somewhat of a pioneer in terms of analytics. That’s a situation that could give him a leg up over White.

As for White, many believe he’s Jim Nill’s right hand. With the consensus being that Nill is one of the best NHL executives, it makes sense to target someone who has been close to one of the best in the business.

With the Dallas Stars in the midst of a heated first-round series against the Minnesota Wild, the Stars organization may be reluctant to let White go at this point. That might change if the Stars fall in the first round.

Otherwise, the Maple Leafs might have to wait until the Stars’ playoffs are over before officially inking their next GM.

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Toronto Can’t Afford to Rush Things

One of the narratives emerging during this offseason’s GM search has been the rushed manner in which Treliving was hired. During that process in 2023, the organization didn’t take long to decide on Treliving becoming the next Maple Leafs GM.

That situation led to the less-than-desirable outcomes for the Maple Leafs this season. That’s why the club can’t afford to rush things. While it’s tempting to jump the gun, a measured approach is crucial in this situation.

Since Toronto is not in the middle of a playoff race, the organization can’t afford to decompress and take time to process the situation. Ultimately, taking a step back and being thorough wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the Maple Leafs.