The Leafs might get accused of leaning in a little too hard on Gillis connections but Malhotra is generally considered one of the top up and coming head coaches so honestly I'd probably prefer him to any retreads.
Leafs Front Office 2026-27
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
L K
Well-known member
Malholtra seemed well liked when he was here as the faceoff guru. It sounded more like he left to get a (albeit AHL) head coaching gig and wasn't going to be directly on the bench for the Leafs. It wasn't like the Leafs didn't want him around.
I'm not against it, especially if the core of the team has respect for him.
I'm not against it, especially if the core of the team has respect for him.
herman
Well-known member
He won the Calder Cup in his first year as head coach with Abbottsford; never mind that they missed the playoffs this year as the Canucks imploded and pulled every non-injured player up.
He just comes off like a blustering, sanctimonious douchebag.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
Yup, no retreads, especially if they've won a cup. Leafs need a new younger voice that doesn't think like a dinosaur. Malhotra, David Carle, Todd Nelson appear to be those guys.
I wouldn't expect him to say anything even if he had a clue. 100% he knows his job isn't secure until the new people are put in place and tell him so. Anyone in the Leafs Org with half a brain should know he has to go. The team has been an utter failure. Their numbers have dropped significantly since he took over. If they're going to be into AI and analytics, just look at 34s deployment and that should be enough for immediate dismissal.
How about one hire at the top, and they build their own team?
herman
Well-known member
The prevailing theory is that the HOHO has basically been selected already (on paper, not publicized) and has been taking an active role in the ongoing recruitment/selection through the search firm, which would be an efficient use of a process already in motion. Once they lock in on the various components, it appears they plan to announce all at once.
Some of the GM candidates whose names seeped out into the mediascape are currently in the midst of playoff pushes.
Yeah it's hard to imagine that Gillis isn't already hired. I can't see MLSE giving full reigns to the other names currently being thrown around without a more veteran guy above them.
Joe S.
Moderator
Part of me doesn't like this Gillis media promotion and that he's been out of the game for 12 years .... Buuuuuut he's got a track record of success. Whereas Treliving might have been to a track and bought a record.
herman
Well-known member
Sportsnet (i.e. Rogers) basically manufacturing consent at this point
Pelley reportedly spoke to internal staff and external parties prior to the Treliving firing to assess what was happening (since he clearly wasn't paying attention until like January); at least one of them was John Chayka in February. Many of his talking points at the press conference were MBA basic org structure stuff, but a lot of it puzzle pieces very easily into Gillis' past proposal.
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dappleganger
Well-known member
If there is a de facto better name available I have yet to hear it. I still think the Leafs should be trying to poach Tulsky.
herman
Well-known member
Top five GM candidates to watch as Maple Leafs’ search appears to near its end
Some candidates have been in the mix from start, others are names fans might not be familiar with, but Leafs must get it right. Read more.
torontosun.com
Mike Gillis - former VAN GM
John Chayka - former ARI GM, suspended by NHL for sketchy business, runs a portfolio of Wendy's franchises
Ryan Martin - NYR AGM, GM of AHL Wolf Pack
Scott White - DAL AGM, GM of AHL Texans
Evan Gold - BOS AGM, GM of AHL Bruins
From a variety of sources: mentioned, but not much traction
- Brandon Pridham, Ryan Hardy - current Leaf AGMs of Cap Stuff and GM of AHL Marlies respectively
- Judd Moldaver - Auston Matthews' and Connor McDavid's current agent
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Zee
Well-known member
The key point is half a brain. That fact that Pelley praised Berube so much in the past year and included his opinions in the direction of the roster really makes me think he has no clue. All reporters have mentioned that Berube has more say than a normal coach would have. Given MLSE's track record I would not put anything past these guys. They could leave Beurbe in place so that the next GM can use his "coach firing bullet" if things go off the rails again midway through next season.
The thing about him is there have been comparisons to when he started in Vancouver. They weren't a great team and there was talk of Burke trying to acquire the Sedins while Gillis was there unless Vancouver turning it around (who were also around the same age as Matthews), and they ended up getting to the Stanley Cup final while being very dominant in a lot of statistical categories. He's also supposedly forward thinking and progressive, which is great.
I'm cautiously optimistic. He's not a perfect candidate but the more I hear the more I think he's probably a better candidate than Armstrong who hasn't really done much except have Binner go on a heater to a Cup one year. That's great and all but we're seeing how fraught it was considering we have the coach who won that Stanley Cup.
If he gets the President role and locks in with a quality GM - even a highly intelligent and motivated player agent - I've got tons of time for that. Just build a good front office that can make informed, intelligent decisions. That's all I ask.
I agree, but what names are realistically out there and currently available for interviewing?
All I ask is no John Chayka. Beyond being young, he accomplished nothing in Arizona.Per Lance Hornby: The 5 names circulating in the chatterTop five GM candidates to watch as Maple Leafs’ search appears to near its end
Some candidates have been in the mix from start, others are names fans might not be familiar with, but Leafs must get it right. Read more.
Mike Gillis - former VAN GM
John Chayka - former ARI GM, suspended by NHL for sketchy business, runs a portfolio of Wendy's franchises
Ryan Martin - NYR AGM, GM of AHL Wolf Pack
Scott White - DAL AGM, GM of AHL Texans
Evan Gold - BOS AGM, GM of AHL Bruins
From a variety of sources: mentioned, but not much traction
- Brandon Pridham, Ryan Hardy - current Leaf AGMs of Cap Stuff and GM of AHL Marlies respectively
- Judd Moldaver - Auston Matthews' and Connor McDavid's current agent
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Moldaver would be a hugely interesting pick. Maybe an heir apparent if he is selected as an AGM?