On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Leafs PR: Brendan Shanahan: “Following extensive discussions with Mark, he and @MapleLeafs have mutually agreed to part ways,” … “I’d like to sincerely thank Mark for everything he’s done for this organization over the last four years and I wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
TSN: Hunter moving on from the Maple Leafs isn’t much of surprise after the Maple Leafs from office changes have rolled out.
Hunter “really wanted the job,” according to Shanahan.
Jim Paliafito was Hunter’s right-hand make and was instrumental in the Leafs being able to sign Nikita Zaitsev and Igor Ozhiganov. Paliafito and other close associates of Hunter could leave as well.
Chris Johnston: With Hunter and Lamoriello now gone, Kyle Dubas will now get to build his own management team.
Kevin McGran: “I had one agent tell me this is a firestorm of Brendan Shanahan’s creation. Could still have Lou as GM with Dubas and Hunter under him. Could have left things as they were, and had to know events would play out this way.”
Shawn Simpson: Believe that Chuck Fletcher would be a perfect addition for Dubas. Fletcher also has a great relationship with coach Mike Babcock.
Bob McKenzie: “Expectation is that while Mark Hunter is departing TOR, because he has time remaining on his contract, one of the conditions of his departure is that he will not be permitted to work for another team until after 2018 draft and free agency period.”
Bob McKenzie: “Which is to suggest he won’t necessarily be restricted from working for another team for the remaining year of his TOR contract, but it will be later in the summer before he would be permitted to do so.”
Bob McKenzie: “TOR could have had Hunter run the 2018 draft but didn’t want someone who had expressed a desire to leave the organization doing it. So they agreed to part ways now, albeit with a condition on when he could begin working for another NHL team.”
Pierre LeBrun: Furthering McKenzie’s reports, Hunter is not able to start working for another organization until mid-July. Hunter had offered to run the Maple Leafs draft, but the Leafs obviously felt that it may not be a wise decision.