The Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with their general manager, Brad Treliving, on March 30. Now, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman claims the Leafs could promote assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser to become the first female general manager in NHL history.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2015–2016 season. The entire franchise is now looking to reinvent itself ahead of next season.
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Finding a new general manager
As a first step, Keith Pelley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, has hired The Coaches Agency to recruit a new general manager. The Coaches Agency has previously appointed hockey executives in Vancouver, Anaheim, and Philadelphia.
“This will be the most important decision I make during my tenure at MLSE,” Pelley said last week after firing Treliving, as per Sportsnet.
Hayley Wickenheiser as Maple Leafs GM
According to Elliotte Friedman, the next Maple Leafs general manager might be someone already within the organization.
“I’ve heard that Keith Pelley thinks very highly of Hayley Wickenheiser. I don’t know that she’s going to be the next person in charge, but I won’t be surprised if she has an elevated role,” Friedman said, according to HockeyFeed.
Hayley Wickenheiser is currently an assistant general manager. She is considered one of the best women hockey players ever. She would be the first female general manager in NHL history.
There is also speculation that head coach Craig Berube will be let go after the season. Pelley wants to have someone appointed before May 31. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have five games left in their season, with a game against the Washington Capitals next.
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