Team President Brendan Shanahan is keeping his options open when it comes to a timetable on the hiring of a new general manager.
"It’s possible," Shanahan said regarding the possibility of having someone in place before the start of next season.
"Right now we’re focusing on getting ready for the draft.” Shanahan told Sportsnet’s
Arash Madani on Monday. “I’m comfortable with the group(Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter) right now and how they’ve been working together. I’ve actually been very pleased with how the group has been working together and the relationships that are being established with some other teams throughout the league."
Toronto has interest in adding Kelly McCrimmon to the fold and has reportedly given the Brandon Wheat Kings Owner/GM/Coach until later this week to decide whether he wants to join the Leafs hierarchy.
A report from TSN’s Darren Dreger Tuesday evening indicated that multiple sources are saying McCrimmon will accept a senior management position with the Leafs.
"I’ve said from the day the season ended, it would be my preference (to hire a GM)," Shanahan said, "but if we have to go in a different direction, we will."
If McCrimmon does accept a position with the Leafs, it is possible that the current structure with Mark Hunter, Kyle Dubas, Brandon Pridham and Jim Paliafito as a management team under Shanahan could remain into next season.
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The Detroit Red Wings finally did as expected on Tuesday, announcing the promotion of Jeff Blashill from head coach of their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids to bench boss of the NHL parent club.
The Calder Cup winning bench boss signed a new four-year deal with the Wings and is looking to retain some of the staff who served under Mike Babcock, who left for an eight-year, $50 Million deal with the Maple Leafs last month.
Tony Granato served as an assistant to Babcock last season and was mentioned as a possible candidate to join him in Toronto. The former Colorado Avalanche head coach declined a contractual option with Detroit earlier this week, but
reportedly is eager to stay with the Red Wings and is negotiating a new deal.
TSN’s Aaron Ward indicates that Hall-of-Fame defenseman Chris Chelios may be part of Blashill’s new staff, but there has been no word regarding the status of Babcock assistants Jim Hiller and Andrew Brewer.
Reports late last month had the Leafs asking permission to speak to Hiller and Brewer(who both signed one-year contracts with Detroit last summer), with strong indications that both would be joining their former boss in Toronto, but neither has been hired at this point.
The club announced the hiring of Sheldon Keefe as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, but it is unknown whether the 34-year-old rookie AHL coach will have a completely new staff or will have a returning Gord Dineen to provide an experienced hand behind the bench.
“I’m aware of the situation with Gord and that’ll be a priority of mine to spend time with him and speak with him.” Keefe said at his introductory press conference on Monday. “Obviously he has been in this league a long time, has a lot of experience, did a good job with the team last season, so there’s a lot of reasons why that would be a good fit.”
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