In today’s NHL rumors, why did the Toronto Maple Leafs push back the media avail with ownership and management? Is something going on behind the scenes that requires an extra day? Meanwhile, is there a chance that Mitch Marner will agree to a trade and start fresh? Jonathan Marchessault talks about his future with the Vegas Golden Knights and Thatcher Demko won’t be available to the Vancouver Canucks until Game 4 versus the Edmonton Oilers.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, there is talk that the Maple Leafs are looking to change their management structure. At the same time, they’ve called a presser for Friday morning that includes Keith Pelley, Brendan Shanahan, and Brad Treliving. All three being there suggests all three will be back next season.
Friedman said he doesn’t believe the Leafs want a President of Hockey Operations anymore and suggested Treliving would report directly to Pelley (CEO). However, in the most recent podcast, he talked about why the media avail was pushed back to Friday. He notes (h/t to @tavkniesnythews for the quotes):
“I think I have a little bit of a better idea of why this week is unfolding as it is. You know, the players and Sheldon Keefe had their availability on Monday…I think Wednesday is an important day in terms of meeting and planning In the organization. I don’t know exactly who’s all going to be in this, I don’t know exactly when it’s all going to happen…but I do think Wednesday is a day where they’re really going to start to drill down on where things are going to go here over the next little while. I think you have to get over the emotion of the situation, everyone wanted to wait a couple of days but now it’s time to start moving everything forward.”
He noted that Tuesday was the Draft Lottery and the NHL didn’t want much to take away from the day. Also, Sheldon Keefe was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday night and the Maple Leafs are very sensitive to that.
What About Mitch Marner’s Future?
Tons of talk surrounds the future of forward Mitch Marner. Friedman addressed that too and said:
Now you have to always be careful with this because we’re 24 to 48 hours after the emotion of a tough defeat, but I do think it’s possible that he will think about it. It doesn’t mean that he comes right out and tells the Leafs, ‘get me out of here.’ But I do…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…