Published Apr 07, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs reportedly have taken the next step in their search for a new hockey operations boss.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Various reports on Tuesday indicated that the Leafs have hired Neil Glasberg and PBI Sports to aid in the hunt for Brad Treliving\u2019s replacement. Treliving was fired last Monday<\/a> and in the news conference that followed on Tuesday, MLSE CEO and president Keith Pelley didn\u2019t provide much clarity on whether the new person in charge will be have the title of president of hockey operations or a general manager. We do know that the incoming hire will be \u201cdata-centric,\u201d a factor that Pelley stressed several times last week.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n No matter the title, Pelley did say the hire would be \u201cthe most important decision\u201d that he will make in his tenure as MLSE president. We wouldn\u2019t quibble with that.<\/p>\n Glasberg is the founder, president and CEO of Toronto-based PBI Sports, a representation agency for professional coaches and front-office personnel. The company has more than 70 clients in the NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA and European professional leagues.<\/p>\n Who might get the job?<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just the Leafs who are in need of a new GM (again, title to be determined).<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Nashville Predators are well into the interview process to fill their GM role and the New Jersey Devils entered the chat on Monday when the club announced that it has parted ways with GM Tom Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n If Glasberg needs some help finding the right candidates \u2014 and we\u2019re not suggesting he would \u2014 we present an updated list. Keep in mind, too, that it could change on a daily basis.<\/p>\n SUNNY MEHTA<\/p>\n The 47-year-old Michigan native not only has the background to provide what Pelley seeks, he has the hardware to back it up. Mehta reportedly is a client of Glasberg, so make of that what you will.<\/p>\n KEVYN ADAMS<\/p>\n With each day that passes, the Sabres team that Adams built in Buffalo before he was fired in December impresses more and more, doesn\u2019t it? Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n CHRIS PRONGER<\/p>\n The 51-year-old Pronger not only is brash, he can back it up: He\u2019s a smart hockey mind and as a player knew how to win, given his 2007 Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks and Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2002 and 2010. TOM FITZGERALD<\/p>\n Fitzgerald is a prime example of how these lists can change quickly. DARRYL METCALF<\/p>\n The Toronto native has been instrumental in building the Leafs\u2019 analytics department and was promoted to assistant general manager, hockey research and development, in 2022. Pelley certainly wouldn\u2019t need an outside firm to tell him that Metcalf, 39, is capable. Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n JOHN CHAYKA<\/p>\n The 36-year-old Chayka was on the cutting edge of the analytics curve when he was hired as general manager of the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. Under his guidance, though, the Coyotes had a tough run in the Pacific Division, making the playoffs only in 2020. And Chayka was not there to witness it, as he suddenly resigned on the eve of the post-season. DEAN LOMBARDI<\/p>\n Now an advisor with the Philadelphia Flyers, the 68-year-old Lombardi has experience as an NHL executive to burn, winning the Cup as GM of the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and 2012 after he had spent seven years as GM of the San Jose Sharks. DOUG ARMSTRONG<\/p>\n All of the initial smoke was around Armstrong, 61, when Treliving was fired last week. While the speculation involving Armstrong has died down \u2014 he is slated to remain in the St. Louis Blues\u2019 front office once Alexander Steen becomes the Blues\u2019 GM on July 1 \u2014 we won\u2019t count out the longtime NHL executive quite yet.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n BRANDON PRIDHAM<\/p>\n The salary cap and CBA guru has the knowledge and expertise to be an NHL GM at some point, so why not here in Toronto? DARREN YORKE<\/p>\n The 40-year-old native of Milton, Ont., would be coming home, in a sense, after working for Carolina \u2014 he\u2019s in his second season as associate GM with the Hurricanes and had held numerous roles since joining the club in 2010 as a video scout \u2014 and Buffalo.<\/p>\n MIKE GILLIS<\/p>\n The former player agent, if the Leafs decide to include him in re-tooling the club, might fit best as director of hockey operations and have a GM work under him. The 67-year-old Gillis was fired as president and GM of the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> in 2014. The game and how it is managed has changed a lot in the ensuing 12 years. JASON SPEZZA<\/p>\n Few players had an encyclopedic-like grip on the NHL like Spezza did before he retired following the 2021-22 season. It wasn\u2019t just because he was tight with Kyle Dubas that that latter hired Spezza to be the assistant GM in Pittsburgh. Spezza, 42, knows what he is doing. EVAN GOLD<\/p>\n The 46-year-old Toronto native has been a key piece of the Boston Bruins\u2019 front office for the past 11 seasons and was promoted to assistant GM in 2019. Gold\u2019s resume includes a span with the Washington Capitals as a hockey operations assistant. He has solid experience in all facets of what\u2019s required to be a GM.<\/p>\n![\"Keith](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775620522_475_Keith-Pelley-e1774991474410.jpg\")
Keith Pelley, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, addresses media at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto last Tuesday. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk \/Toronto SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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As the assistant general manager, head of analytics, with the Florida Panthers, Mehta helped the club win back-to-back Stanley Cups in the past two seasons. The freshness of those wins could be an appealing factor, and might help put Mehta put further ahead of other people on this list.<\/p>\n
The Sabres will end the 2025-26 NHL regular season with a shot at not only winning the Atlantic Division title, but also the Eastern Conference crown. On the chance that the 51-year-old Adams is the new guy in Toronto, he would have to make it work a lot quicker with the Leafs than the time it took to build a winner in Buffalo. The Sabres are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.<\/p>\n
The Hockey Hall of Famer has the kind of no-nonsense attitude that wouldn\u2019t be diminished in a market as crazy about hockey (specifically the Leafs) as Toronto is. He could handle it.<\/p>\n
There were rumblings of changes coming in New Jersey, but it wasn\u2019t confirmed until the Devils announced on Monday that the 57-year-old Fitzgerald, the team\u2019s GM since July 2020 when he took over in a full-time role.
The former Leafs forward was in Pittsburgh\u2019s front office for eight years before he was hired by the Devils in 2015.<\/p>\n
Working against Metcalf, perhaps: He has been with the organization since 2014, a 12-year span during which the Leafs have won nothing of consequence.<\/p>\n
In January 2021, the NHL suspended Chayka for the rest of the year for conduct detrimental to the league and the game.<\/p>\n
Lombardi was fired by the Kings in 2017.
If Pelley decides to make multiple hires, the club might be better served with Lombardi as the overseer with a GM working under him.<\/p>\n
Pridham, 52, has been as assistant GM with the Leafs since 2018 after a four-year stint as assistant to the GM.<\/p>\n
We can\u2019t see how this potential choice would make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n
Spezza on a path to be an NHL GM at some point, and likely not too far into the future.<\/p>\n
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