Toronto Maple Leafs fans are not sure who the general manager will be next season.
Current Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is in the final year of his contract and is a lame duck situation.
Kyle Dubas’ future with the Leafs may already be decided for all anyone knows, though some insist that it will come down to how well the team performs in the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Another first-round exit would likely end his tenure as Toronto’s GM, however, its going to depend on how the team performs overall.
Dubas has spent the past few seasons putting together a talented Toronto team, only to see it fail in the playoffs. This season, more than others, there is a lot at stake for Dubas and his team.
If this is indeed Dubas’ last season as the GM in Toronto, it may also be Shanahan’s.
Here are a few options the Leafs could explore, if necessary.
Toronto Maple Leafs Future GM Options
There will be no shortage of possibilities for Shanahan when selecting the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is a pretty coveted job within the NHL. So, when the time comes to hire a new GM, who will he choose?
Brandon Pridham
Brandon Pridham is the current Assistant GM to Kyle Dubas and the wizard behind Toronto’s salary cap. His knowledge of Toronto’s salary cap future and the players makes him a great candidate. The big question will be whether or not he stays with the team or decides to follow Dubas to Dubas’ next landing spot. If he stays, he’s at the top of the list for Dubas’s replacement.
Ryan Hardy
Ryan Hardy is the current general manager of the Toronto Marlies and is an assistant GM to Kyle Dubas. Hardy has held the position of Marlies GM since June 25th, 2021. He has a good working knowledge of Toronto’s prospects and what this team needs moving forward.
Doug Gilmour
Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Doug Gilmour is a fan favourite in Toronto. He was a very hard-working player and knows what it takes to win. From 2011 to 2017, Gilmour was the GM of the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He acted as team president for Kingston from 2017 to 2019 before leaving the team to join the Toronto Maple Leafs as a community representative. There is no telling how well Gilmour would do as the GM in Toronto, but he would be starting with a talented roster.
Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser
Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser is currently an assistant GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs in charge of player development. She knows a thing or two about winning. As a member of Canada’s women’s hockey team, Wickenheiser won four Olympic gold medals and one Olympic silver medal.
She also helped Team Canada win seven gold medals at the World Championships, along with six silver medals. Her role in player development would be an asset if Shanahan decides it’s time for her to be promoted.
These are just four possible choices, but the Leafs are not likely to let Dubas go anywhere.