Maple Leafs Interview Dallas Assistant GM: Decision This Week?

As per a report by Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to conduct interviews for their vacant GM position. This week, they interviewed assistant general manager from the Dallas Stars, Scott White.

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Friedman notes:

“Scott White, the assistant GM in Dallas, is someone I’ve thought for some time would eventually get a chance. He’s not a guy who walks into a room and dominates it, but he’s a bright mind. Obviously, Jim Nilli is the boss in Dallas, but he’s a trusted lieutenant—one of those “jack-of-all-trades” types we often talk about.”

Friedman goes on to say that White has handled a wide range of responsibilities. He interviewed as part of the initial process, and they’ve spokn with him twice. “I had thought he might get an in-person meeting, but as far as I know, Kyle, that hasn’t happened yet. Still, he’s exactly the kind of candidate I expected to be on Toronto’s radar, and I’m under the impression they did interview him last week.”

The Maple Leafs Are Getting Closer to a Decision

Reports on Sunday have Toronto getting closer on a decision and Friedman believes they are going to move into some in-person follow-ups. Both Friedman and Frank Seravalli believe something substantial could happen by the end of this week. “I’m not surprised White fits the profile. He’s been interviewed a few times for these types of roles, and you start to wonder if someone will finally give him that opportunity.”

In his previous 32 Thoughts column, Friedman had noted that one of the concerns with some of the GM candidates is that they didn’t have a wide base of skills because they’d been working exclusively in one area for other teams. Toronto wants a well-rounded candidate. White is someone who hasn’t been siloed in Dallas. “He’s done a bit of everything—negotiations, running their AHL team—and I’ve seen him on the road alongside Jim Nill. He was a player, too, drafted by the Nordiques, although he never made the NHL. Still, he spent about five years playing in North American minor pro leagues, so there’s plenty of experience there.”

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