NHL Rumors: 3 GMs Who Could Be Fired At Season's End

We could be looking at a Black Monday situation when the NHL's 2025-26 regular season comes to a close, according to Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos.

He writes today that three general managers are finding their jobs in jeopardy as we head down the stretch, and all are fearing the pink slip.

Toronto, New Jersey and Vancouver are all playing out the string, already out of the playoff race, and needing to consider deep changes throughout their organizations. With less than three weeks left in the regular season, speculation is already surrounding these teams. Regardless of when the respective ownership groups of these teams decide the fate of their coaches, all three management groups are expecting a version of their own ‘Black Monday’ once 82 games pass.

Starting in Toronto, where Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has already seemed virtually checked out (or at least his players have). We know that MLSE CEO Keith Pelley has already started one-on-ones with folks from inside and outside the organization to try to get a handle on why this Maple Leafs season went so sideways. He will get "a range of opinions regarding management, coaching, and player evaluations," writes Kypreos.

TSN insider Darren Dreger said earlier on Monday that “If you’re (GM) Brad Treliving, you likely have a pretty good sense of what’s coming."

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin 'doesn't expect to survive'

Likewise, for the Canucks, Kypreos suggests that Patrik Allvin might be suspecting a GM change is coming.

"There are strong suggestions that change is coming, but to what extent remains unclear. Until there is a better understanding of (president of hockey operations) Jim Rutherford’s full commitment to a rebuild, things remain fluid. Either way, I hear GM Patrik Allvin doesn’t expect to survive past this season."

Devils' Tom Fitzgerald could lose one of his titles... or both

With the Devils, it's a different situation, as Tom Fitzgerald holds both the president of hockey ops and GM posts. "Some are wondering if the Devils’ ownership will look to break up those two jobs," Kypreos said.

"It will be interesting to see if the Devils do look to hire someone solely for the president of hockey operations title this summer, and whether that would allow Fitzgerald to stick around for at least one more season as GM and assess him from there. The feeling in New Jersey is that Fitzgerald is preparing for the worst, knowing he’s on the hot seat."

What names are lurking to fill NHL GM or Pres. of Hockey Ops jobs?

Kypreos then goes on to mention a long list of names who either are, or could be, available to fill some of those positions. From Brendan Shanahan (though obviously not for Toronto) to Marc Bergevin, Brian Lawton, Chris Pronger, Ryan Getzlaf and current Blues president of hockey ops/GM Doug Armstrong. The latter is already giving up his GM duties as of July 1st to Alex Steen.

Even Ron Francis in Seattle, or Steve Yzerman in Detroit (if the Wings flame out again this season) are listed as potential options.