Maple Leafs: 5 possible general manager and coaching candidates

SPORTS

Maple Leafs: 5 possible general manager and coaching candidates

Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 13, 2015 4:11PM EDT

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, centre, gives instructions to his team during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, April 8, 2014. (AP / Gary Wiepert)

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Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan outlined that the team's next general manager won't be him, but it will be someone who fits in with the current vision of the organization. With that in mind, here's a look at five potential replacements for Dave Nonis and five potential coaching candidates:

GENERAL MANAGER

Michael Futa: The Los Angeles Kings' 47-year-old vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel is a Toronto native and knows how to run a team from experience in the Ontario Hockey League.

Paul Fenton: The Nashville Predators' assistant GM has long been considered a top candidate for a head job, and his tutelage under David Poile would serve him well for working under Shanahan.

Joe Nieuwendyk: The former Dallas Stars GM started his management career under now adviser Cliff Fletcher in Toronto, and his experience playing for the Leafs gives him a leg up on finding players who fit in.

Mark Hunter: A Shanahan hire as director of player personnel, Hunter already fits the vision, and his previous experience running the London Knights shows he can put a winning roster together.

Kyle Dubas: Another Shanahan hire, Dubas might be inexperienced for that role but would be able to execute the current plan with a fresh perspective.

Other possibilities: George McPhee, Sean Burke.

COACH

Todd McLellan: If fired by the San Jose Sharks, McLellan is a coach who can get the most out of the talent at his disposal and could be a long-term option to carry the Leafs into contenders.

Peter DeBoer: A Shanahan favourite, DeBoer was available when Randy Carlyle was fired but may not have been the right guy at that time as the Leafs sought answers about this core.

Mike Babcock: If Babcock chooses to leave Detroit (and that's no certainty), the Leafs would have to convince him this is a shorter-term build and there's an opportunity to win sooner rather than later.

Kirk Muller: A former teammate of Shanahan's, Muller didn't work out as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes but could be a prime choice after a year as an assistant in St. Louis.

Bruce Boudreau: If the Anaheim Ducks lose early in the playoffs and Boudreau is out of a job, the St. Catharines, Ont., native could be perfect because he knows how to help build a team up.

Other possibilities: Adam Oates, Kevin Dineen.