The Toronto Maple Leafs are searching for a new general manager after parting ways with Brad Treliving following a disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth. But instead of focusing solely on candidates, the process itself has come under scrutiny.
Red Flag Emerges in Maple Leafs’ GM Search
Toronto’s decision to hire Neil Glasberg and his firm, The Coaches Agency, to lead the search for a new head of hockey operations has sparked concerns about a conflict of interest among NHL insiders. The debate has now shifted from who the Leafs might hire to whether the process itself is problematic.
The controversy stems from Glasberg’s dual roles. Hired as a search consultant for Toronto, he also runs PBI Sports, which represents several executives and coaches who could be considered for the position. Critics argue that this setup creates a situation in which the person conducting the search may benefit financially if one of his own clients is hired.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli has been among the most vocal critics, describing the arrangement as an “LLC shell game” and suggesting the separation between Glasberg’s companies doesn’t eliminate the potential overlap. He also pointed out that another team recently ended a similar arrangement due to conflict concerns.
That reference was to the Nashville Predators, who terminated their contract with CAA Executive Search in February 2026 after the NHL Players’ Association launched a review into a potential conflict of interest.
Insider Chris Johnston highlighted a more immediate concern. Sunny Mehta, assistant GM of the Florida Panthers and a rumored candidate for the Toronto job, is reportedly a client of Glasberg. That scenario could create a perception that the consultant is recommending someone he also represents.
Seravalli also shared a text from a current (anonymous) NHL executive outlining the potential issue. “1. Get paid to run search. 2. Search hires your client as GM (get paid again) 3. Client hires another client as HC (get paid again). The only question is if Neil can hit a superfecta: search, client as president, client as GM, and client as head coach,” he said.
Not the First Time Concerns Have Surfaced
This isn’t the first time Glasberg has faced these concerns. Similar “red flags” were raised during searches for the Philadelphia Flyers (which resulted in the hiring of former client John Tortorella) and the Anaheim Ducks. Multiple current NHL coaches and executives have reportedly expressed frustration that a search consultant has “skin in the game” regarding who gets hired.
For a high-profile franchise like Toronto, the optics matter. Any hire connected to Glasberg’s client list could keep the conflict-of-interest debate alive long after the new general manager is announced.
As the Leafs continue their search, the spotlight remains not only on who they choose, but on how the process unfolds.
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