When the Toronto Maple Leafs eventually hire a President of Hockey Operations and a general manager (perhaps one person serves both roles), there is plenty of work to do. As for priorities, they may vary from interview to interview as the organization conducts its search.
For my taste, here are the first three moves a new GM should prioritize after their disappointing 2025-26 season (32-36-14, missing the playoffs).
The team has a talented core in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies, but faces major issues: an aging/expensive supporting cast, defensive slowness, a goaltending surplus and inconsistency, and limited cap flexibility (~$1.7 million in projected space currently).
The goal seems to be to retool aggressively (unless Matthews signals he wants out). If he does, the Maple Leafs are staring down the reality of a rebuild.
Hire a New Head Coach (or Decide to Retain Berube)
Craig Berube’s system didn’t produce results this season, and the team seemed to stop responding to his public callouts and game plans. A new GM may want to bring in their own guy, or a new voice behind the bench if they felt the culture and accountability were lacking this past season.
Why Do This First?
A new coach sets the tone for everything else—player (specifically Matthews) buy-in, finding players that suit the new system, and removing faces that didn’t mesh well if the plan is to keep the same coach behind the bench.
As for who might be on their radar, that would be up to the new GM and their NHL history. Familiarity is often the direction a manager will go, often opting to work with someone with whom they’ve worked before.
This is the quickest “change” a new GM can make to establish a new identity for the group.
Find Out What Matthews Wants To Do
Before the Maple Leafs start clearing cap space and unwanted contracts via trades/buyouts/non-qualifying offers, the plan should be to sit down with Auston Matthews and find out where his head is at. If he needs to see more, the GM can start making moves. If Matthews gives his input on who he feels should stick around, the GM might take that into consideration.
The Leafs will have to dump players — a goaltender likely being among them. But, do they move a big piece? There was talk about trading Knies (~$7.75M), but if Matthews is wholeheartedly against that idea, it would be wise for the GM to know that first.
Once that conversation takes place, depth deals like Max Domi ($3.75M), Dakota Joshua ($3.25M), and others who are dragging value, should be shopped. Pending UFAs and RFAs should also be moved if the team isn’t sticking with them.
Consider Bigger Trades
Once the coach is hired, Matthews is either in or out; it’s time to shop veterans with some term/value. That would include names like Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, or Morgan Rielly. Figure out who is willing to move if they have trade protection and get the best deals possible if they don’t.
From there, consider buyouts on declining contracts if trades aren’t viable.
Once the deck is cleared, the 2026-27 rising salary cap will create opportunities for bigger adds. Clearing “dead money” prevents the team from being stuck and allows targeted additions at center or defense.
This new general manager should aim to enter free agency/trade season with real flexibility.
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