TSN: Darren Dreger notes the Toronto Maple Leafs have spoken with Brad Treliving while Brendan Shanahan is looking for an experienced new general manager. There is no timeline of the papers to name GM. There has been speculation about St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong.
A high-ranking source within the Blues organization describes the speculation as a fabrication. They value Doug Armstrong because of the work he does as General Manager, a highly successful GM who is also under contract. So it’s unlikely that Armstrong will go anywhere.”
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Pierre Lebrun adds that the Leafs spoke internally about Doug Armstrong because he would be an ideal candidate. The Leafs will need to approach the Blues and ask for permission to talk to him, or Armstrong will need to say to his bosses that it is a special opportunity for him and if he can talk to them.
“Again, it seems a little far-fetched, but you get why the speculation is there, because it would fit just right in Toronto.”
Lance Hornby: “Doug Armstrong’s name keeps popping up on the Leafs’ rumor list, but at what cost? They’re going to have to work at something since he’s been contracted to St. Louis for a few years, and there’s already the first rounder the Leafs owe them from the ROR trade, which is one Of the 5 choices of the army in the first three rounds.
Jeremy Rutherford from The AthleticIt’s no surprise that Doug Armstrong’s name came up with the Toronto Maple Leafs looking for an experienced general manager. It will fit great.
Brendan Shanahan has been doing his due diligence but is calling the St. Louis Blues to see if he can get permission to talk to Armstrong. So it makes sense for the Leafs to try, but it doesn’t make sense for the Blues to let him go.
Armstrong is under contract through 2025-26, has no outside clause and will need permission. He has power in St. Louis with all hockey decisions, something that may not be an option in Toronto with Shanahan there.
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It seems very unlikely that owner Tom Stillman would allow Brendan Shanahan to speak to Armstrong. The only way Armstrong would ever be able to talk to the Leafs was if he went to Stillman and asked him if he could, and that would be tough given everything they’ve done for him.
Andy StricklandThere have been some reports/speculation that St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong has an “external clause” in his contract with the Blues. According to a source, that’s not true, he doesn’t have an “external clause”.
Armstrong has three years left on his contract and a big season ahead of him.
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Greg Wochinsky: “I can’t wait to see if GM Doug Armstrong’s talk in Toronto ends up being (a) an echo chamber guess, (b) a source sending smoke signals to TML through media proxies, or (c) the market trying to make something happen.” Stay tuned!(FWIW, it would be perfect there.)