NHL Insider Trashes Leafs' List Of GM Candidates

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a colossal decision to make on who will be the next general manager of the franchise. With issues like Auston Matthews' impending extension eligibility (and free agency in a year), what to do with the 'Core Four' going forward, and basically, a complete culture reset after the departure of Kyle Dubas, it's not a job for the faint of heart. 

According to the latest rumors, the list of names that are being strongly considered include Brad Treliving, Jason Botterill, Marc Bergevin, and Peter Chiarelli.

But according to former NHL GM, team president and head coach Doug MacLean, that list is just not going to get it done. Not in the Toronto market.

You can't settle for the names I'm listening to. You've got to make a splash. You've gotta pull a 'Shanahan Deal', and go to an existing team, you look at the top 3, 4 or 5 GMs in the game and you go and you try to get permission to try to pry a top guy away. You do NOT settle for a second-hand GM-type guy. I'm sorry.

MacLean was speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan with Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, and was emphatic that Shanahan will "get fried" in the Toronto market if he doesn't "figure this out... make a Mike Babcock or Lou Lamoriello-type splash." 

Obviously, MacLean wasn't suggesting a reunion with either of those particular former Leaf employees, but you get the idea. A huge A-1 lister is needed to take on the pressure cooker of the Leafs' job. 

"Please, I respect all the names I've heard," MacLean said in conclusion. "But give me a break. They're not GMs of the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports