Timing is 'Not Right' For Maple Leafs & Top GM/Hockey Ops Boss Candidate

Ever since it became official that Brad Treliving was relieved of his duties as GM by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the name of St. Louis Blues' executive Doug Armstrong has been linked as the top candidate for the Toronto job — whether that job be President of hockey ops, GM, or both.

But on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night, insider Elliotte Friedman dropped the word that it doesn't seem like we're going to see Army setting up camp in Toronto.

I mentioned Doug Armstrong, but it just doesn't seem like the timing is right for the Blues, the Maple Leafs and Doug Armstrong. Anything can change...and I could be proven wrong... But it just doesn't seem like the timing is right.

Doug Armstrong is busy handing over Blues' GM duties, so timing 'isn't right' to jump ship to Maple Leafs, says insider

Armstrong currently holds both titles for the Blues, that of President of Hockey Operations as well as General Manager. But he is notably stepping down from the GM's duties on July 1st, and handing them over to Alex Steen. This is something that's been two years in the making.

Steen, a former Blues forward, is currently working in the team's hockey operations department as a special assistant to the GM (basically, a "GM-in-waiting" role). He was working as a European development consultant before that.

But in the meantime, Armstrong will lead the Blues through the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft in June, and after that, will be focusing on his role as President of Hockey Operations, a position he has held since 2013. He should certainly have his hands full, as the Blues are seemingly intent on undergoing a full rebuild, with trades of top players like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou potentially on the docket this summer.

Armstrong, 61, is presumably not keen on dumping all of this on Steen's lap without any assistance, after grooming him for the job for the past 24 months.

And so, the Maple Leafs' search will continue to expand without Army, as other names continue to be added to their list.