Music: {allcanada} Leafs hire firm to assist with search for new hockey operations head

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

{allcanada} Leafs hire firm to assist with search for new hockey operations head

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a step forward in their search for Brad Treliving’s replacement after his firing last week.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston, the Leafs hired Neil Glasberg and PBI Sports to assist with their new search for a new head of hockey operations.

Last week, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley told reporters during a news conference he is looking for a “data-centric” head of hockey ops, but said he is open to hiring either a new general manger, the role Treliving held, or a president of hockey operations to lead the club’s vision moving forward.

“The most important decision that I will likely make in my tenure,” he said. “Although I will be measured and methodical, I will have to expedite the process.”

Can confirm the #leafs have hired Neil Glasberg and PBI Sports to assist with their search for a new head of hockey operations.

First to report: @lukefoxjukebox
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 7, 2026

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Insider Trading last week that the Leafs had hoped to have a firm in place by the end of this week. LeBrun expanded on the search during the segment.

“My understanding is that he continues to have dialogue with a number of people around the league so that when that search firm is hired he will probably hand over a list of eight to ten names to get the process going. What is this interview process labelled, is it for a GM? Is it for a president of hockey operations? I was told on Thursday that it is for a head of hockey operations, and from there we’ll see where it goes,” LeBrun said.

“I think Keith Pelley wants to stay as flexible as possible in terms of whether it’s just a GM hire, or a GM and a president of hockey operations and whether it’s one person that handles both or not, they don’t want to get boxed in.”

Pelley said he believes the Leafs do not need a full rebuild, but added the new hockey operations head would also have a say in the franchise’s direction.

“A rebuild is needed when you are starting from scratch,” Pelley said last week. “If we’re able to surround them with the right culture, with the right structure, with the right personnel, both on and off the ice, then I would say that we would be in a retool, not in a rebuild.

“Having said that… I will always wait for input from the new head of hockey operations.”

The Leafs fired Treliving near the end of his third season with the team after he was hired to replace Kyle Dubas in May of 2023. Treliving’s Leafs were 31-30-13 with 75 points in 74 games at the time of his firing on March 30 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week.

Treliving was in his second stint as an NHL GM after being at the helm of the Calgary Flames from 2014 to 2023.

Berube awaits word on future

The Leafs may be overhauling their front office, but their decision on head coach Craig Berube appears that it will carry into the off-season.

Berube is under contract through 2027-28 but has repeatedly said he remains focused on finishing the regular season before thinking about his future.

“I’m focused on coaching the team, honestly,” Berube told reporters last week.

“Tomorrow I got a game, that’s what I’m doing. I can’t control that [decision by management]. Whatever happens happens, but I’m the coach here now and my focus is the team. That’s it.”

“He’s been great,” said veteran centre John Tavares of Berube. “There’s a ton of respect for him in our locker room. We know how challenging it can be ... He’s done a really good job of continuing to try to push the right buttons and understanding when you got to put the arm around [a player] or when the time is to push the group.”

Either way, Pelley indicated the new head of hockey ops will have a say in Berube’s future.

“His role for the hockey club doesn’t change,” Pelley said. “Once we have a new head of hockey in place, if that recommendation [to fire] is around Craig Berube at that particular time, we will listen. Something as big as Craig Berube would go all the way to ownership."