Extensive, crucial to-do list awaits next Maple Leafs general manager

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The next general manager of the Maple Leafs will have an extensive to-do list once that person is hired.

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In fact, a significant piece of the interview process for the person who gets the job would have been presenting a significant plan to president Brendan Shanahan, detailing what he intends to do in the next several weeks and beyond. 

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Some items will be of greater importance. None top the future of Auston Matthews, who can be signed to a new contract on July 1, a deal that would take the 25-year-old through the prime years of his National Hockey League career. 

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In a world where everything runs seamlessly, a Matthews contract will be done without hiccups and the Leafs could get on with their lives, secure in knowing that one of the best players in the game will be their No. 1 centre for the foreseeable future. That could still happen, but there is some doubt cast now with the firing of Kyle Dubas.

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When Matthews last Monday was asked about his future with the Leafs, he indicated it was his intention to sign with Toronto. But what if Dubas no longer was with the team? Matthews didn’t double down on his desire to remain with the only NHL team he has known. Instead, he refused to answer what was, at that point, a hypothetical question. 

So already, the new GM — and this is where experience as an NHL GM would a benefit — might have to do some tricky stickhandling.

Before July 1, much needs to be resolved. The status of the head coach will have to be determined, and whatever decision is made also could play a role in Matthews’ decision. 

Will Sheldon Keefe return as coach? At best, that’s doubtful. If, by small chance, he does, there is bound to be an opening on the staff anyway, as Spencer Carbery is highly regarded and there are head-coaching vacancies in Washington, Columbus, Anaheim, Calgary and New York (Rangers).

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The NHL draft itself, June 28-29 in Nashville, won’t occupy a ton of time. The Leafs have the 28th pick in the first round and then just two more picks, one in the fifth round and one in the sixth round. If the new GM is Brad Treliving, he won’t be involved. And as Shanahan indicated on Friday, the parameters for the draft are in place with director of amateur scouting Wes Clark.

It’s what could happen during the draft that could change the course of the Leafs. No-move clauses for Matthews and Marner kick in on July 1. If the Leafs get word from Matthews that he’s having second thoughts about an extension, trading him prior to Canada Day would be crucial. A year from now, there’s no way the Leafs want to be in a position where Matthews goes to free agency and the team gets nothing in return.

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Marner has two years remaining on his contract, but if the incoming GM figures the Leafs can’t go on with him, he has to be dealt at or around the draft before his no-move clause becomes reality.

We wouldn’t trade Marner, though. He’s regarded as the heartbeat of the team, and if one argues that he’s the heartbeat of a team that has not won, recall that players such as Steve Yzerman and Alex Ovechkin didn’t hoist the Stanley Cup until later in their careers.

That leaves William Nylander, as captain John Tavares intends to stay true to his no-move clause. Of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, the latter is the one of the three who still requires a kick in the pants every so often. Nylander’s best NHL days are to come, for sure, but he could be used in a trade for a top defenceman. Either way, improving the blue line has to be on the new GM’s list.

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As of today, the Leafs will have approximately $9.91-million US, per capfriendly.com, under the cap for next season. Some money has to be cleared. Goalie Matt Murray has a $4.687-million cap hit. He has to be traded, and the Leafs could use some of that money to re-sign restricted free agent Ilya Samsonov.

With the firing of the Toronto Marlies coaching staff last week, the Leafs’ top minor-league affiliate will be starting from scratch as well. The Leafs have forward Matthew Knies and goalie Joseph Woll coming, but Dubas didn’t leave a prospect cupboard that’s chock-full of Grade A potential. It’s another area the new hire will have to address.

So the Matthews issue, a new coach, a potential trade of a core four player, just to start — the task will be daunting. 

Hit the ground running? No kidding.

That barely describes how the next Leafs GM will have to tackle his first few weeks on the job.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

twitter.com/koshtorontosun

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