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Leafs Morning Take
James Mirtle Interview
Season 4, Ep. 138
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Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by The Athletic’s James Mirtle for a wide-ranging breakdown of the Maple Leafs’ ongoing GM search and the latest intel surrounding the process.
Mirtle confirms reporting from Elliotte Friedman that Toronto did, in fact, request permission from Tampa Bay to speak with Julien BriseBois during their search — a request that was ultimately denied. From there, he dives into where things stand with the Leafs narrowing in on John Chayka, how the process has unfolded behind the scenes, and what level of due diligence actually went into the organization’s evaluation of candidates.
He also weighs in on the timeline, noting the uncertainty around when a final decision will be made, suggesting it could stretch into mid-May and expressing surprise if a hire is in place ahead of the draft lottery. Other names still in the mix include Scott White, while Mike Gillis remains a peripheral option despite not receiving an in-person interview.
Mirtle also addresses the Tie Domi angle, making clear that Tie Domi is not expected to land any formal front-office role, citing both optics and the fact that his son, Max Domi, is a core part of the current roster. He’s also asked about what makes Chayka an appealing candidate, but admits it’s a difficult question to answer without more clarity from team president Keith Pelley.
The conversation rounds out with thoughts on potential turnover in the AGM ranks, the fact that Mats Sundin brings zero front-office experience despite his appeal as a figurehead, and whether head coach Craig Berube is truly secure long-term given contract structure and his relationship with management.
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