Details on the Leafs quest for someone to run the hockey operations department:

Insider Trading: Latest on Leafs’ GM search
TSN’s Hockey Insiders on Toronto’s hope to have a search firm hired by the end of next week, how the Leafs hope to copy Carolina with a data-driven hire, the next phase of Nashville’s general manager search and GM Patrik Allvin remaining a big part of the Canucks’ future.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

This is the text version, so you can read it instead of just reacting to the blurb.

The search firm is to be in place by next week, someone in place by the end of May. Opinions seem to vary on if that's one someone or more.

While I think this was a month too late to begin, it's a lot better than the hiring process for Treliving.

Kyle Dubas left the Leafs on May 19, leaving the team just barely over a month before the draft. Brad Treliving was hired on May 31, a hiring process that played out over 11 days, and I think now that looks like acting in haste and repenting at leisure to just about everyone.

This time, the Leafs have a lot of time to do a real search, interview more than the three people who have ever been named as part of the last process and decide exactly who is the right fit.

There are some dates of concern, but none of them before the playoffs end, and that can be any time in the final two weeks ending on June 21. But the goal here is to have a team in place by the Combine which begins May 31. There is no need for haste, there is no worry about being too late for the draft.

Minnesota beat the Canucks last night in a rare double-clinch game. The Wild are in the playoffs and the Canucks cannot be knocked out of last place. At least not before May 5, that is.

Max Plante among top three for 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award
Hermantown’s Max Plante has moved one step closer to being lucky No. 7 for Minnesota Duluth. The sophomore wing will be part of the Hobey Hat Trick next week at the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas.
Duluth News TribuneMatt Wellens

Ben Danford has advanced in the OHL finals:

Brantford Bulldogs advance to second round of OHL playoffs
Brantford Bulldogs advance to second round of OHL playoffs
Brantford ExpositorBrian Smiley

His suspension for an illegal check from behind has been served and he can resume playing.

Tyler Hopkins is done for the season, as Guelph was, er, what's the right word, hmmm, obliterated 11-3 by Windsor in game four of the first round sweep. Hopkins had two of those three goals.

Harry Nansi is also done as Owen Sound was easily swept aside by Flint yesterday.

Miroslav Holinka's first round series in the WHL is tied up at two games all.

Oh, yeah, and the Leafs did not beat the Sharks as instructed. It was a wild game that had a few moments of fun. Simon Benoit almost had the time of his life.

First this:

And then a couple of really good chances to score.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left the game halfway through with an LBI, nothing that was obvious as the cause, though.

Final score was 4-1 San Jose.

Leafs are back in action on Saturday as the face the Kings in LA. It's a regular HNIC start time.

See you then.

From The Branches