The Arizona Coyotes are narrowing down on their search for a replacement for recently fired general manager Don Maloney. President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc indicated the announcement will come in the next two weeks.
The Arizona Coyotes fired longtime general manager Don Maloney on April 11th.
If Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc maintains his word, we may know Maloney’s replacement before May 1st. At the minimum he appears to believe the team will make an announcement early into May.
LeBlanc made the statement yesterday and it was reported by Sarah McClellan of AZCentral.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if we have some form of an announcement next week or the week thereafter,” said LeBlanc.
That’s a pretty bold statement and surely indicates that the Yotes have narrowed in on – or possibly already knew – whom might take the general manager position before the move to part ways with Don Maloney.
The question is who is gonna be the next boss steering the ship of the Arizona Coyotes?
There was talk of the Yotes going with someone with analytics mindset, but one of the youngest and brightest in that pursuit, Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, apparently removed himself from consideration yesterday. ““Very bluntly put, I don’t believe I’m ready to be an NHL general manager,” Dubas told reporters. “I believe I have a lot to learn, and I believe Toronto is the best place for me to learn that.”
I suppose assistant general manager John Chayka’s name is still on the table, though Elliotte Friedman cautioned that he didn’t think Chayka would be the GM when discussing Maloney’s firing.
Other names floated in the article were Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois and LA Kings vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel, Michael Futa. There’s also a chance there’s a dark horse that we don’t know about just yet.
LeBlanc’s other comments further expounded on the issues dividing the front office and management within the Arizona Coyotes organization. “I’m not saying the owners are going to come in and say, ‘Make this trade. Assign this guy,’” LeBlanc said. “But I think it’s fair to say we want to hear more of what’s going on.”
His comments are pretty pointed shot detailing ownership’s feelings on Maloney’s apparent mushroom approach to dealing with his higher ups.
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Whoever comes in and tries to push the Arizona Coyotes to the promised land with Dave Tippett will certainly be a bit more vocal and inquisitive with LeBlanc, Barroway and company.
Let’s just hope that, like Mr. LeBlanc said, relaying information and communicating doesn’t turn into a one-way street that’s headed from the top down.