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The Toronto Maple Leafs have found their replacement for Kyle Dubas. TSN's Darren Dreger's report on Tuesday night that all signs were pointing towards the club wrapping up their search and that former Calgary GM Brad Treliving would be named as the new Leafs GM was confirmed on Wednesday, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated that Treliving would be agreeing to terms.
"I am very excited and honored to join the Toronto Maple Leafs as General Manager," Treliving said in a press release. "I would like to thank Brendan, MLSE, and its Board for their support throughout this process. I’m thrilled to join an Original Six team and recognize how much the Maple Leafs means to this community. This is a very exciting day for my family and I.”
Treliving served as an assistant GM with the Arizona Coyotes for 11 years before becoming Calgary GM in 2014. In April, the Flames and Treliving mutually agreed to part ways, but he is still under contract until the end of June. That fact may be a complicating factor in the new GM having any input in Toronto’s lead-up to the NHL Draft in Nashville next month.
"I’m very pleased to welcome Brad into the Maple Leafs organization,” said Brendan Shanahan in a press release. “Brad brings a wealth of knowledge from his years of experience as a General Manager and hockey executive in Calgary, Arizona and beyond. He has earned tremendous respect amongst his peers throughout his years in the NHL and has built excellent relationships at all levels within the game. We are confident that Brad’s leadership and strategic vision will elevate the Maple Leafs in our continued pursuit of a championship.”
The hire is good in the sense that a capable GM who was in the league mere weeks ago is best suited to jump right into a challenging situation with 10 unrestricted free agents and three core players with no-trade/no-move restrictions on July 1, but it does not undo the fact that the Leafs organization was left scrambling after the collapse of negotiations with Dubas and we will not know for years whether this sudden change of direction was a necessary step towards success or the beginning of a dramatic downturn.
Treliving and Shanahan will meet the media on Thursday morning in Toronto.
One of Treliving's first decisions is expected to be the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe and according to Friedman, there are indications that the Leafs may keep Keefe for the final year of his contract. The thought process here may be that the dismissal of Dubas and the potential dealing of one of the core four would constitute enough change in what is expected to be a tumultuous off-season and letting go of the head coach might create too much instability.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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