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The Toronto Maple Leafs clarified their management situation somewhat after not revealing any of their plans at locker cleanout day at Air Canada Centre on Friday. Team President Brendan Shanahan announced on Monday that Hall-of-Famer Lou Lamoriello would not return as the club’s General Manager next season after serving for the last three seasons.
“Three years ago, Lou and I agreed on a contract that would see him serve as General Manager of the Maple Leafs for three years and then transition to Senior Advisor for the following four years,… Shanahan said in a press release. “This morning I informed Lou that I was not going to deviate from that course of action. I will now focus all of my attention towards making a decision regarding our next general manager.…
It is unknown if Lamoriello will remain with the club in an advisory role, but he indicated in a conference call that he intends to stay with Toronto in that capacity.
"My responsibility is here with the Toronto Maple Leafs, I made an agreement and a decision three years ago and it is my intent to honor that."
The New Jersey Devils did something similar when they brought in Ray Shero to take over as GM and made Lamoriello Team President in 2015. He proceeded to leave the organization he had been with for nearly 30 years for the chance to continue being a GM in Toronto.
As to who will become the Leafs new GM, Shanahan did not offer any information, including whether outside candidates other than Assistant GM's Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter would be considered or a timetable of when a choice will be made.
"I haven't begun that process yet, that is why nobody has been named." Shanahan said. "My focus was on Lou, making a decision and taking a little bit of time right after the season ended to reflect on that."
Based on the events of last summer and how the club blocked Dubas from talking to the Colorado Avalanche about their GM position, the 31-year-old is considered the leading candidate based on his status as a rising star among NHL management circles. Hunter, who is given credit for the Leafs improved scouting and talent evaluation, is also a candidate.
If Toronto maintains the status quo, the Leafs management structure returns to what it was before Lamoriello was hired; with Dubas and Hunter handling their responsibilities and Shanahan being a big part of the decision making process.
It is not known what the reaction will be if one or the other is selected, but there has long been speculation that Hunter would seek other opportunities if Dubas is hired and vice versa. That could be one possible reason why a choice on the new GM may not be made until after the NHL Draft in Dallas in late June.
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