Maple Leafs won’t hire GM before 2015 NHL Draft

The Maple Leafs will be heading to the draft without a GM. Instead, Brendan Shanahan will play the role with input from his staff on picks and possibly player trades.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be the only team at the 2015 NHL Draft without a full-time general manger. According to Sportsnet’s Damien Cox, the team will not hire a GM before June 26.

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Earlier this week, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan told Sportsnet’s Arash Madani that “it’s possible” the team will have a GM in place by the time next season begins, but nothing is set in stone.

“Right now we’re focusing on getting ready for the draft. It’s a possibility [but] I’m comfortable with the group right now [and] how they’ve been working together,” Shanahan explained. “I’ve actually been very pleased with how the group has been working together and the relationships that are being established with some other teams throughout the league.

“It would be my preference [to have a full-time GM in place at the start of the season] but if we have to go in a different direction we will.”

For the time being, director of player personnel and co-interim GM Mark Hunter, fellow co-interim GM Kyle Dubas and Shanahan will spearhead the Leafs’ decision making process.


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