Hockey Boss Candidate Gets Second Interview with Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs, if all goes as it should, will be hiring both a new general manager and a president of hockey operations to oversee the whole on-ice side of the operation. To that end, for the more senior role, MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley seems to be focused on Mike Gillis, who we can reasonably call the frontrunner for the hockey boss gig at this point. He's set for a second interview.

The Leafs are reportedly very interested in Mike Gillis, who is set for a second meeting with Keith Pelley

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Insider Chris Johnston reported that Gillis and Pelley are getting to know each other quite well.

“ The talk about Mike Gillis is real. The Leafs have interest in him,” said Johnston. “ I believe there’s already been a conversation between Gillis and Pelley. I think there’s another one that’s coming up here. ”

Gillis' pitch is expected to highlight his analytical focus, which was one of the most notable takeaways from Pelley's explanation last week of what he's looking for in a new POHO.

Mike Gillis & MLSE CEO Keith Pelley are on 'friendly terms'

James Mirtle writes in The Athletic, "According to league sources and those who know Gillis well, however, he is on friendly terms with Pelley and is intrigued by the opportunity that attempting to retool the Leafs would present."

Gillis, now 67, was a high-profile player agent before spending six seasons as general manager and president of the Vancouver Canucks from 2008 to the end of the 2013-2014 season. His time there came with great success. He guided the Canucks to Presidents' Trophies in back-to-back seasons in 2010-11 and 2011-12, five consecutive division titles, and to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

The Leafs fired GM Brad Treliving nearly two weeks ago, and let go of team president Brendan Shanahan a year earlier. Soon after the current dreadful campaign wraps up, they are expected to fill both of those roles.