Leafs denied permission to talk to BriseBois — The Fourth Period
During the Toronto Maple Leafs search for a new General Manager, one of the targets they wanted to pursue is believed to be Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois.
On Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Leafs tried to talk to BriseBois but the Bolts denied their request.
“I don’t think anyone is shocked to hear that the Lightning would say no,” Friedman said. “So, that’s that. I do think they asked permission to speak to him and they were rejected.”
BriseBois is believed to be under contract beyond this season in Tampa, though it is unclear how much term remains on his deal.
Among the veteran management executives the Maple Leafs were also believed to have been interested in, Jim Nill signed an extension with the Dallas Stars and Doug Armstrong is not planning on leaving the St. Louis Blues just yet.
Friedman noted that he still expects the Maple Leafs to move in the direction of a Mats Sundin and John Chayka combination to head their hockey operations department.
“It’s a matter of Sundin agreeing to a contract and what they have planned for him,” Friedman added.
“As last I heard, on Thursday, there was still confidence this was moving in a proper direction. But again, nothing is done until it is done.”
