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In what is expected to be the first of many moves with the Pittsburgh Penguins that involve current or former members of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Penguins hired Jason Spezza as an assistant general manager on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old retired at the end of the 2021-22 season and became a special advisor to Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and resigned the same day that it was announced that Dubas would not be back in Toronto.
"After a decorated playing career, Jason fully immersed himself on the management side of the game learning all facets of hockey operations this past season while with Toronto," Dubas said in a press release. "He showed tremendous work ethic, curiosity and ability to build relationships throughout all departments at the team facility. His move from the roster to the front office staff also helped make the hockey operations department, coaching staff and playing roster a more cohesive and collaborative unit.…
The addition of Spezza to the Penguins staff is curious in that it leaves the spot of General Manager of the Penguins open. There continues to be speculation that Brandon Pridham may leave the Leafs to join Dubas in Pittsburgh, but there have been unconfirmed reports that Pridham would like to remain in Toronto as part of GM Brad Treliving’s staff.
The management structure in Pittsburgh appears similar to what Montreal and Vancouver have adopted, with the Team President having more of a hands-on role and the GM having less responsibilities than normal.
Names such as Leafs director of scouting Wes Clark and Asst. GM Ryan Hardy have been mentioned as possible candidates for the Penguins job, but their availability to leave the Toronto organization may not occur until after the NHL Draft in Nashville.
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