Maple Leafs Reportedly Denied Interview with Divisional Rival GM

In May of 2023, the Toronto Maple Leafs hired former Calgary Flames General Manager Brad Treliving in the same role as they looked to replace Kyle Dubas.

Just three years later, the team has failed to reach its lofty goal of a Stanley Cup, and after parting ways with Sheldon Keefe in 2024, the team has now moved on from Treliving as well.

Under Treliving, Toronto's results were a mixed bag, as the team was a combined 98-52-14 in his first two seasons, but after finishing last in the Atlantic Division with a record of 32-36-14 this past season, moving on from him was the obvious move for the Maple Leafs.

This, along with the firing of Brendan Shanahan last summer, has left a major hole in the front office, and as the Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on with Toronto simply watching on, their search for Treliving's replacement continues. Thus far, Toronto has interviewed the likes of John Chayka, Scott White and Mike Futa, while other interesting names like Tie Domi, Gary Roberts, and Mats Sundin have all been involved in the search one way or another.

Surprisingly, however, there have been very few people interviewed with genuine General Manager experience at the NHL level, but reportedly, that's not for a lack of trying.

On the latest episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has stated that the team requested to interview Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien Brisebois, although the team was promptly denied the opportunity.

.@FriedgeHNIC believes Maple Leafs asked for permission to speak to Julien BriseBois but were denied by Lightning https://t.co/V4FYYKK1xm

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) May 1, 2026

It makes sense that Toronto would be interested in Brisebois, as the Lightning under their current GM have won two Stanley Cups, reaching the Finals in three straight seasons and have not missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs since he took over in 2018.

What's equally unsurprising is the fact that Tampa Bay would turn down the request, as there have been no signs of a rift with him and the rest of the front office that would suggest a departure makes any sense at all.

As for Toronto, this leaves them with fewer and fewer options as they look to turn things around with a roster that's in flux, but as of right now, there's still no clear-cut favorite for the role.

Related: Maple Leafs GM Decision Timeline Emerges After Exit Interviews

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM.