There is a lot happening around the Toronto Maple Leafs right now, and it comes at a critical time in their season. The players are giving it their all to survive in the Atlantic, but the team has already lost much ground with a 32-30-13 record. They are currently 7th in the Atlantic Division with just seven games remaining, and while they have not yet been mathematically eliminated, management has determined that changes are inevitable.
The front office move showed us exactly the same, adding more adversity to an already difficult stretch.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Search: Chris Pronger and Doug Armstrong Emerge as Focus
The Maple Leafs parted ways with General Manager Brad Treliving on Monday, March 30, 2026, after a season that fell short of expectations. The task of ending a long Stanley Cup drought will now go to someone new sitting in the GM chair. Following the firing, the decision-making process has moved toward finding the next general manager.
The firing followed concerns around roster construction, a sharp decline in results, including an eight-game losing streak in March, and a lack of depth on the blueline, along with inconsistent goaltending that made it harder for the team to stay competitive.
The situation became more complicated after the team lost Auston Matthews to a season-ending injury in March 2026 and did not find suitable trade reinforcements, while the 2026 trade deadline passed without Treliving completing a single trade. These factors combined to create pressure on management, which ultimately led to the change.
Now, the focus is on potential candidates, and one former player has already addressed the possibility of taking on a role in hockey operations. Speaking on “Leafs Morning Take,” Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger shared his thoughts when asked about joining the organization.
“Listen, I’ve been asked about all kinds of different things… I’m willing to talk to anybody,” Pronger said. “I never say never about anything. For me to do anything in hockey operations, though, it needs to be the right fit.
“To me, it’s more about the fit and more about the opportunity than it is about anything else. I’m not going to say, no, I wouldn’t be interested in… There are a number of teams that I would have interest in, but it doesn’t mean that they’re available, and it doesn’t mean that they want me. There’s all kinds of… we can throw darts at a board and start guessing about this guy, that guy. Right now, they have people in those positions. Until they’re not there, it doesn’t matter.”
At the same time, according to Toronto Sun reporter Lance Hornby, another name has started to stand out in this search. The report pointed to Doug Armstrong as a strong option, given his experience and past success in similar roles.
Armstrong is set to leave the role of St. Louis Blues’ GM on July 1, 2026, to be replaced by Alexander Steen, but he will remain the Blues’ president of hockey operations. This creates some uncertainty around his availability for a GM role elsewhere. Still, his name continues to come up as Toronto evaluates its options moving forward.
ALSO READ: NHL World Reacts as Maple Leafs Begin Cleaning House By Firing GM Brad Treliving
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman also spoke about the process and said, “Well, as you mentioned, Keith Pelley’s gonna talk tomorrow full search, and we’ll find out if they’re doing it themselves or they’re hiring a firm. But, you know, I think the person whose name looms large over this is Doug Armstrong.
“And Nick, I saw what you wrote today, and you said, and I agree with this, ‘I think there’s a lot of confusion as to what his status really is.’ And I do think one of the things that Pelley’s been trying to do is determine if they did make the change, which they now have done, and what exactly is available to them.”
According to the Hornby report, other names are also in the mix, including Mark Hunter, Bill Scott, and Brandon Pridham, as the team considers both external and internal options.
With the season nearing its end and the playoff race slipping away, this decision could shape the next phase for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
