The Arizona Coyotes appear to have a close eye on Toronto executives.
The Coyotes expressed an interest in hiring Toronto Maple Leafs analytics whiz Kyle Dubas, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday:
The desert franchise fired general manager Don Maloney on Monday, at the conclusion of their fourth consecutive season outside of the playoff picture.
Coyotes majority owner, chairman and governor Andrew Barroway, alternate governor Gary Drummond, and president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc are leading the search for a new GM, in consult with head coach Dave Tippett.
LeBlanc said Monday that he expects to have a new GM in place within two to six weeks, well in advance of June’s draft.
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The highly touted Dubas, 30, is wrapping up his second season as assistant GM of the Maple Leafs. He also serves as general manager of the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League’s first-place team.
Dubas has aspirations to become an NHL general manager, and it is widely believed the Maple Leafs are grooming him to become Lou Lamoriello’s successor.
LeBlanc said Maloney was not fired due to the rebuilding club’s poor record but because of philosophical differences with ownership. The Coyotes wish to place more of an emphasis on analytics, Dubas’s specialty.
The Coyotes would need permission from the Maple Leafs to interview Dubas.
Back in November, Arizona reportedly reached out to Alex Anthopolous, the former Toronto Blue Jays GM, prior to his hiring by the Los Angeles Dodgers.