Armstrong not a likely candidate for Leafs — The Fourth Period
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to reach out to potential candidates for their vacant General Manager position, one name many have speculated could be in line for the job, or the position of President of Hockey Operations, is not expected to enter the fold.
The Maple Leafs have been reported to have interest in St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong, however Armstrong is under contract with the Blues for another three seasons as he transitions to President of Hockey Operations in that organization with Alex Steen taking over as GM on July 1.
Blues beat reporter Jeremy Rutherford reported last week that it is unlikely for the Blues to grant the Maple Leafs permission to talk to Armstrong, something Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman echoed on Monday’s episode of “32 Thoughts.”
“I don’t think the timing is going to work out here between the Maple Leafs and the Blues on Doug Armstrong,” Friedman said.
“Everything I’ve heard in the aftermath of (Rutherford’s column) is that appears to be the case.”
With Armstrong out of the equation, the Maple Leafs have continued to piece together a list of potential candidates they would like to pursue and interview. The list, according to various reports, is believed to include the likes of Florida Panthers Assistant GMs Sunny Mehta and Brett Peterson, former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis, former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka, Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant GM Jason Spezza, New York Rangers Assistant GM Ryan Martin, and Dallas Stars Assistant GM Scott White, among others.
The Maple Leafs may start reaching out to clubs to seek permission to interview these candidates as early as this week.
