With the Leafs scrambling to find a new GM after Mehta went to New Jersey, the names popping up are interesting.

Mike Gillis should automatically be disqualified. For a “veteran” of the executive world, he has accomplished nothing this franchise should be seeking. He’s been out of a job for a long time and the last time he had a job, he was a loser that was unable to return to the Final. In fact, his team basically crumbled into the disaster it has become today, slowly and painfully. That’s exactly what he would do in Toronto. He’s the worst possible hire and it’s exactly why he’s probably the #1 target.

Mats Sundin is an example of a franchise that has no hope of the future to sell so they turn to sell nostalgia. Sundin might have an eye for talent but leave him as a scout in Sweden. He has no executive experience and he’s better off being associated with the Leafs in a role that has little to no power. Very good player but wrong guy for this job.

Gary Roberts’ name has also appeared. Again, great player but not built to be an executive. He’s a great personal trainer but that’s all he should be hired for.

John Chayka is a name that has been mentioned because he’s a numbers wizard. The same problem I had with Mehta as GM without a legit hockey mind above him would apply to Chayka. I would have no problem hiring him to be the most overpaid assistant GM but this guy can’t be the top of the food chain of hockey related decisions. There would need to be a legit President of Hockey Ops above him.

Chris Pronger is a legit hockey mind, proven winner on the ice with high hockey IQ but probably doesn’t understand the day to day operations of being a GM with contracts and advanced stats or scouting. Pronger is the type of guy you put as VP to Hockey Ops because you want his input but he’s not the best guy to get the day to day workings done. He’s also lightly experienced as an executive.

Ron Francis has freshly quit Seattle after a few years is an example of an experienced executive who could become President of Hockey Ops. He’s the experienced hockey mind in the room who knew what it took to win a Cup on the ice. The team he built in Carolina wasn’t too bad and his connections to guys like Rod Brind’Amour are greatly valuable in the future.

Pridham and Hardy are two guys who work well exactly where they are now. They serve a purpose but not who we need to promote at this moment with much bigger fish out there to hire.

Ross Mahoney is a name that most people don’t know about but would he be a big asset as GM. He’s been the head of scouting for the Capitals for 14 years and an assistant GM for 12 years. The Leafs absolute suck at drafting and developing players and bringing in a guy who understands the draft would be crucial. He’s about to be 70 but with so many young guys in the system, he could run the team for a few years and then the Leafs could promote from within after they’re set on the right track.

Ryan Bowness is another less known name but has been around scouting for awhile. He’s another young guy who has been with the Penguins, Senators and Islanders. Son of Rick, he’s been in hockey his entire life and his drafting record is pretty strong. He’s also been the assistant GM in Ottawa and in Long Island so you’ll have to overpay him to jump ship but he could be a future promotion from within once the Leafs scouting and player development is on track.

President of Hockey Ops: Ron Francis

– Figure head, hockey mind, talks to the media, reports to Pelley, keeps him the fuck away from the team and has a direct connection to Rod Brind’Amour for future recruitment.

VP of Hockey Ops: Chris Pronger

– Learns the ropes as an executive, brings a great hockey mind to decisions being made, knows what a winner looks like on the ice, doesn’t build a pussy ass team.

General Manager: Ross Mahoney

– Runs day to day operations from contracts to trade talks. Understands hockey from the draft outward which is the most important key to success in this rebuild.

Director of Analytics: John Chayka

– Grossly overpay this guy to take the role below GM but give him the chance to be promoted if he succeeds. Runs all the numbers on everything.

Capologist: Brandon Prindham

– Keeps the Leafs under the cap, gives him more time to prove he can be promoted.

Assistant GM / GM of the Marlies: Ryan Hardy

– Continues to run the Marlies with the addition of more prospects for player development. Given the opportunity to be promoted from within in time.

Director of Scouting: Ryan Bowness

– Attacks the draft, rebuilds the Leafs farm system, another future candidate for promotion.

Tanking Head Coach: Craig Berube.

– Tanks the team but builds accountability.

Future Real Head Coach 2029: Rod Brind’Amour.

– Takes over the team of the future and runs them like a machine.

Janitor: Mike Gillis

– Fucks off and is never hired by the Leafs.

If the Leafs were to grossly overpay this executive team (5+ million each, 30-40 million total which you can take away from the roster while you rebuild), I don’t think any one of them would refuse that type of money, regardless of their role. That to me is a team of hockey minds, executives and professionals that can turn this franchise around with a proper rebuild.

Trade Matthews and Nylander at the 2027 draft. Trade everybody else over 25 at the deadline / the draft. Tank in 2028. Tank in 2029. Offer McDavid max money in July 2029. Sign Brind’Amour as head coach.

That’s the rebuild plan.