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Brad Treliving Top Candidate for Toronto Maple Leafs GM Job

By Jeremy Ridgewell

Feb 24, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving during interview prior to the game between the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving during interview prior to the game between the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will Brad Treliving be the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Many in the media, including Elliotte Friedman believe the Toronto Maple Leafs top job is his to lose.

The Leafs are in the early stages of looking for Kyle Dubas‘ replacement as GM.

There are many qualified candidates available for team president Brendan Shanahan to interview. Seeing Treliving in the mix for the Toronto GM job is not surprising. He spent nine seasons as the GM for the Calgary Flames.

What Treliving Brings to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Under Treliving, the Flames compiled a 362-265-73 record and went to the playoffs five times. The Flames never made it past the second round but making it to the second round twice is better than what Dubas achieved in Toronto. One thing that stands out during Treliving’s time in Calgary is his impatience with his coaches. The Flames went through five head coaches under Treliving.

If Treliving does get the GM job in Toronto, he’ll see some familiar faces on the Toronto Maple Leafs Roster. Calle Jarnkrok,  Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie played under Treliving in Calgary. Treliving has the experience that Shanahan wants, but is he the right man for the job?

Treliving is not afraid to make big trades when necessary and doesn’t shy away from signing top free agents to big deals. With star forward Matthew Tkachuk unwilling to sign a long-term contract in Calgary, Treliving traded him to the Florida Panthers. He received Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar, and prospect Cole Schwindt in the deal. Unfortunately, the trade worked out better for Florida, at least in year one.

Last Summer, Treliving signed unrestricted free-agent and former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri to a seven-year, $49-million contract. Landing the GM job in Toronto will immediately throw Treliving in the spotlight. His top priority will be trying to sign superstar Auston Matthews to a contract extension. Everyone from management to the media to the fans will be watching and waiting for a positive outcome.

Next. The 5 Best Leafs GM Candidates. dark

Treliving is one of many names, including Brandon Pridham, Eric Tulsky, and Jason Botterill vying for the GM job in Toronto. President Brendan Shanahan will be busy trying to find the right guy but also doing it in a timely fashion. Ideally, the new GM will be hired before the NHL draft on June 28th.

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