Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: GM of the Future

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 27: William Nylander stands with team personnel after being selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft at Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Mike Stephens

The obvious choice here, especially when looking at the wonderful job he’s done in Edmonton, is Peter Chiarelli.

Just kidding! Can you imagine? He’d probably trade William Nylander for Connor Murphy or another mid-pairing defenceman because he better fits Pistol Pete’s definition of “character”.

No, my real choice here is Julien BriseBois of the Tampa Bay Lightning. I chose him for two reasons.

Obviously, because he’s been an integral component in building the deepest and most effective talent pool in the NHL. And also, were the Leafs to take him off the market, the Montreal Canadiens would be left with significantly fewer options when they inevitably can Marc Bergevin.

Messing with the Habs is always hilarious.

BriseBois is part of the same team who unearthed diamonds in the rough like Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde. Not to mention, the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa’s AHL team, is an absolute force.

They’re stocked to the brim with speed and talent and serve as the only team in the Marlies’ conference who could pose a substantial threat come playoff time.

When choosing a GM, the foremost criteria I look for is developing prowess. If you can’t usher young players into the big leagues regularly, you seriously handicap the potential of your franchise.

BriseBois checks that box emphatically, along with a few others. For that, he’s my non-Dubas pick.

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