These 7 Candidates+ Have Interviewed for Maple Leafs Front Office Job

The Toronto Maple Leafs missed out on one of their top candidates for their new front office when analytics guru Sunny Mehta was snapped up by the New Jersey Devils. But there is no shortage of other candidates, as reported by insider Elliotte Friedman.

He tells us there is a list of seven—that he knows of—that have already spoken with MLSE CEO Keith Pelley and the Leafs organization:

Ryan Bowness, 42, Islanders Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel (and son of Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness)
John Chayka, 36, former General Manager of the Arizona Coyotes
Mike Gillis, 67, former President and General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Hardy, 40, Leafs Assistant GM/Interim GM (current) & former Senior Director of Minor League Operations
Ryan Martin, Rangers Associate General Manager
Brandon Pridham, 52, Leafs Assistant GM/Interim GM (current)
Chris Pronger, 51, Hockey Hall of Famer

But Friedman adds that he believes there are three others that have spoken to the Leafs as well, and writes that he's "wondered about": Gregory Campbell (Panthers Assistant General Manager,) Evan Gold (Bruins Assistant General Manager), and Brad Pascall (Flames Assistant General Manager).

The insider also stated that with all the whispers and controversy surrounding how things have been handled behind the scenes in the Leafs hockey offices this year, "some people (are) wondering what really is going on in Toronto, but that’s what the interview process is for — candidates ask those questions and decide if this is for them."

One name that has surfaced as a very likely hire, though not for a position such as President of Hockey Operations or GM, but rather in an advisory role of some kind, is legendary Leafs captain Mats Sundin.

That one might soothe some corners of the fan base a bit, but it must come with a smart hockey executive hire as well.