The Toronto Maple Leafs' firing of GM Brad Treliving has some observers wondering if similar changes could be coming for the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' firing of GM Brad Treliving on Monday has some pundits wondering if other struggling clubs could be considering management changes.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos claimed there were "strong suggestions" that change is coming to the Vancouver Canucks. He believes things remain fluid until there's a better understanding of Jim Rutherford's commitment to a rebuild.
Kypreos claimed hearing GM Patrik Allvin doesn't expect to survive past this season.
Rutherford is the Canucks' president of hockey operations, while Allvin is his right-hand man. Firing him would be an interesting move, but Canucks beat writer Thomas Drance of The Athletic isn't certain how far the club intends to go as they attempt to move on from this season.
Kypreos also noted that Tom Fitzgerald is the New Jersey Devils' president of hockey operations and the GM. However, some observers are wondering whether the Devils might split those two jobs. He speculated they could hire a new president, retain Fitzgerald as GM for one more season and evaluate things after that.
Jim Biringer of Full Press Media also mused about the Devils' off-season plans for their front office. If they do make a management change, he believes it won't come from within.
Kypreos listed several current and former executives who could be angling for management roles. They include former Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, former Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli and former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.
Chiarelli is reportedly among the candidates to replace Barry Trotz as GM of the Nashville Predators following this season. St. Louis Blues president and GM Doug Armstrong has been mentioned as a candidate to replace Treliving in Toronto, but Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic believes that move doesn't make sense for the Blues.
Armstrong is stepping down as Blues GM at the end of this season, handing the reins to Alexander Steen. However, he's still under contract as the president of hockey operations. Team owner Tom Stillman would have to give his permission for interested teams to speak with Armstrong.
Speaking of the Maple Leafs, former Toronto sportswriter Howard Berger recently cited "a good source" claiming Auston Matthews will be moved this summer.
According to Berger's source, Matthews will be traded to one of three Western teams: the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings or Utah Mammoth.
However, that seems unlikely given the comments of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley on Tuesday regarding the club's direction after firing Treliving. Pelley prefers retooling the roster around foundational players such as Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies.
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