Toronto Maple Leafs general manager candidates emerge: Report

Are the Maple Leafs closing in on a general manager?

Lost in the shuffle of Mike Babcock’s ‘decision’ and his fashion choice for his TSN interview Friday night(flip-flops!), Sportsnet reported some candidates to rule the Maple Leafs.

The list includes Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois, New York Rangers assistant general manager Jeff Gorton, Kings vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel Michael Futa and former Capitals general manager George McPhee.

With the exception of McPhee, it appears the Leafs are going after people with a more ‘up-and-coming’ type vibe. And McPhee? Maybe sort of the old boys network coming through? Or maybe people see some of the Capitals players this year and think they were just the right coach away from contending?

Also, the piece notes that two teams, the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs have asked for permission to speak with Babs. On the TSN interview, Babcock said he had multiple offers.

Double press conference for Babcock and the new GM? We will see.

- - - - - - -

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY