Explaining Ilya Samsonov’s arbitration case with the Toronto Maple Leafs and why letting it get to that point is a loss for the club. Maple Leafs assistant GM Brandon Pridham is staying in Toronto after all. Following an announcement from the Pittsburgh Penguins regarding Kyle Dubas and a number of others' new titles, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman joined NHL Network [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC9CECOcatk] to discuss how Pittsburgh got to that conclusion. "I think he (Dubas) wanted to see if Brandon Pridham, who worked with him in Toronto, was interested," Friedman said. "I think that Pridham decided to stay in Toronto earlier this summer and I think once that kind of move was known, that Pridham was likely to stay, I think that this was the course of action a lot of people expected." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC9CECOcatk[/embed] In his introductory press conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHMq1IyMyHE&t=483s] on June 1, Dubas was asked about hiring a GM this summer. The 37-year-old said with it being so early, he'd handle the position on an interim basis. "My intention is that I'll handle that (GM position) on an interim basis here through to July," Dubas said. "And then begin to go through candidates and make the decision that's best for the hockey department. "If we do go down that path, I think the type of person we'd be looking for is someone progressive that can really add an element to the organization that perhaps I don't have as a skillset in some regard." The Maple Leafs hired Pridham in 2014 to help the organization with the salary cap, contract negotiations, and CBA interpretation. The 49-year-old, prior to working with Toronto, was the senior director of the NHL's central registry and central scouting. Pridham worked in that department for 15 years before joining the Maple Leafs' front office. Related Mikhail Sergachev Clarifies Comments Made About Maple Leafs' Recent Playoff Run [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/mikhail-sergachev-clarifies-comments-made-about-maple-leafs-recent-playoff-run] Former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas To Hold Dual President and General Manager Role With Penguins This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/former-maple-leafs-gm-kyle-dubas-to-hold-dual-president-and-general-manager-role-with-penguins-this-season] Maple Leafs Would be Foolish to Try and Find a Third Goalie Right Now [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-would-be-foolish-to-try-and-find-a-third-goalie-right-now] News from THN.com Defensive Dominos: Catching Up on the NHL's 2023 Off-Season Blueline Adjustments [https://thehockeynews.com/news/defensive-dominos-catching-up-on-the-nhls-2023-off-season-blueline-adjustments] 2023-24 NHL Prospect Pool Overview: Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2023-24-nhl-prospect-pool-overview-nashville-predators] Will the Maple Leafs Hang Onto William Nylander for This Season? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/will-the-maple-leafs-hang-onto-william-nylander-for-this-season]
