Maple Leafs Rumors: Toronto Could Have GM Candidate in Sight

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One of the most outrageous Toronto Maple Leafs rumors in recent history has hit the streets, positing an unlikely GM candidate.

The purported changes swirling among Toronto Maple Leafs rumors to happen this offseason are pretty evident. The only question is how deep the changes will go. Some believe the changes will remain at the roster level.

Others, however, believe the changes in Toronto will go further up the food chain. One of those is notable social media agitator Paul Bissonnette. During a conversation with Colby Armstrong and Matt Murley, Bissonnette nearly broke the internet by suggesting that the Maple Leafs could bring in outgoing St. Louis Blues and Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong.

The chatter might have seemed like playful banter among guys shooting the breeze. But there could be some very interesting truth to Maple Leafs rumors.

First, Armstrong has officially said he will retire at the end of this season. That “retirement” will include taking on a more senior leadership role within the Blues’ organization. Similarly, Armstrong has officially left Team Canada, again, due to his retirement.

That said, the longtime executive might be enticed to move to Toronto as the Leafs’ GM. While there have been no solid leads thus far, the Maple Leafs rumors could end up gaining traction.

In particular, it remains unclear if the organization will choose to cut ties with coach Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving. Perhaps the changes could start at the top with the GM position and trickle down.

All of those situations remain uncertain as the organization looks to retool this offseason and get back into the playoff hunt in 2026-27.

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Maple Leafs Rumors Could Go Beyond the GM Position

It’s worth noting that the GM and President of Hockey Operations roles could be open simultaneously in Toronto. The President role has been vacant since Brendan Shanahan left at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Treliving remains in the GM role. Nevertheless, his grasp on the position might not be as firm as some might believe. As such, if Toronto wanted to make wholesale changes, both the GM and President roles could go to one person.

That’s why Maple Leafs rumors involving Doug Armstrong might actually have some weight behind them. If there was anyone the Leafs could want to lead a major restructuring within the organization, Armstrong could be the right man for the job.

Nothing But Speculation at the Moment

It’s also worth pointing out that this conversation is nothing but Maple Leafs rumors at this time. The idea of such a drastic move, if it ever moves forward, would gain more traction in the offseason. The timeline, however, could be a tight one.

If the organization is serious about this sort of move, it would have to come almost immediately after the regular season ends. Both the Maple Leafs and the Blues are unlikely to make the playoffs.

The transition in St. Louis should be an easy one as the team has a clear succession plan, with Alex Steen taking over next year. With that in mind, the Leafs wouldn’t have much runway to make things happen.

The 2026 NHL Draft and free agency will be the most pressing issues to consider. That’s why Maple Leafs rumors would have to come to fruition as soon as possible. Otherwise, Armstrong, or whoever potentially takes over, won’t have much time to make things happen.

Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan