Getty

Maple Leafs tried to poach rival GM.

The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly tried to land a big fish to lead the team’s front office.

Toronto fired general manager Brad Treliving, and the Maple Leafs were expected to pursue a team president and a general manager. The Maple Leafs have been linked to plenty of candidates. But NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet revealed the team asked for permission to interview Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois.

“I don’t think anyone is shocked to hear that the Lightning would say no,” Friedman said on 32 Thoughts on Friday. “I do think they asked permission to speak to him and were rejected.”

BriseBois has been the Lightning’s general manager since September 11, 2018. He previously served as assistant general manager of the Lightning and as the Syracuse Crunch general manager.

BriseBois helped build the team that led the Lightning to win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. He’s widely considered to be one of the best general managers in the NHL.

So, it does make sense that the Maple Leafs tried to poach him. But the Lightning declining the interview request makes plenty of sense. Tampa Bay wouldn’t want to see BriseBois leave for a division rival, as the Lightning could simply add a title to his role to keep him happy in Tampa Bay.

After the Lightning declined the interest, the Maple Leafs will continue its search as it appears to be nearly over.

Maple Leafs Close to Hiring New Front Office

Toronto has been searching for its new front office, and it appears the Maple Leafs have finalized the candidates.

Friedman reported on Wednesday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that the Maple Leafs are closing in on hiring John Chayka as general manager. The team would also hire Mats Sundin as vice president of hockey operations.

“If Sundin does get the job, I think it’s gonna be Chayka. Now if something happens here and it doesn’t occur, I don’t know where this is all gonna go. I don’t know what the backup plan is,” Friedman said.

Sundin is a Maple Leafs legend, and Friedman believes hiring him would help reset the pride.

“They feel the pride of the team got damaged last year. The team didn’t have the esprit de corps that you want to have,” Friedman said. “And I think they’re hoping that by bringing Sundin back in and somebody who cares about the Maple Leafs as much as he does. He can at least restore some of that and hope it helps to be a part of what can make them successful.”

Sundin served as the Maple Leafs captain for 11 seasons.

Toronto’s Core Made Request to Front Office

The Maple Leafs are coming off a disappointing season, and their star players have some demands.

Auston Matthews and William Nylander reportedly told management that they want to see two puck-moving defenseman added to the roster, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

“What I was told by people I trust there, is that both of those guys, Nylander and Matthews, told both management and coaching that look, we believe in this team. But we think we have to add some players. We need a couple of dogs up front with some bite. Who can eliminate the softness we have in certain areas up front. And we need two mobile defenseman,” Dreger said.

The Maple Leafs will be a team to watch this offseason.