NHL insiders immediately point to this GM for vacant Toronto Maple Leafs job

The Toronto Maple Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving less than 24 hours ago, but the name of his potential replacement is already swirling among NHL insiders.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN insider Darren Dreger, there have been rumblings that St. Louis Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong could be the perfect fit for the Maple Leafs vacancy.

"I think the person whose name looms large over this is Doug Armstrong." 👀@FriedgeHNIC breaks down what could happen next with the Leafs' front office. pic.twitter.com/SQ8uETNcR1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2026

"The Toronto Maple Leafs want to get to the top candidates first, and I think the person whose name looms large over this is Doug Armstrong," Friedman said. "There’s a lot of confusion about what Armstrong’s status with the Blues really is."

Armstrong has served as president of hockey operations and general manager of the Blues since the 2013–14 season, but has said he will step down from his GM role at the end of the 2025–26 season.

According to Dreger, he’s been told Blues ownership has no interest in letting Armstrong out of his contract.

"With Alex Steen taking over as the GM in St. Louis, the franchise wants Armstrong to be that mentor," Dreger said on TSN’s SportsCentre with Jay Onrait.

How realistic is the possibility that Doug Armstrong will be the next GM of the Maple Leafs? #TSNHockey Insider @DarrenDreger joins @JayOnrait to discuss. pic.twitter.com/aXlJHyBIQR

— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) March 31, 2026

Dreger added he can’t dismiss the rumour, especially with two executive positions open in Toronto, but noted that Armstrong’s contract situation is something the Maple Leafs and MLSE president Keith Pelley cannot ignore.

Armstrong recently stepped down from his role as GM of Canada’s men’s national team after the Milano-Cortina Olympics, saying he wants to focus on his position with the Blues.

Around two weeks before Treliving’s dismissal, Jonah Siegel of the The Athletic reported that he no longer saw Treliving sitting with Pelley at Maple Leafs practices.

Tons of industry banter over this gem so far 😂 pic.twitter.com/5IXMHspyM3

— Jonah Sigel | Sports media + streaming (@yyzsportsmedia) March 31, 2026

With seven games left in the NHL season, the Maple Leafs now sit without a general manager and a president of hockey operations—a role that has been vacant since the start of the 2025-26 season.

Armstrong has an impressive front-office resume, having served as a general manager with the Blues and the Dallas Stars for 24 years. He has won two Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and made the playoffs more than 60 per cent of the time.