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Don Granato believes Maple Leafs’ vacant positions have ‘the attention of everybody’
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Coyle
Apr 9, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2026, 23:18 EDT
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing for an offseason of change throughout many levels of the organization as the club tries to prove the disappointing 2025-26 campaign was just an aberration. 
The Maple Leafs have already started the process of looking for a new head of hockey operations, the club appears to be heading towards needing a new head coach, and the summer could bring in a new group of players as the team hunts for better on-ice production. Former NHL head coach Don Granato joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Dave Pagnotta to give his perspective on a few topics surrounding Toronto’s hockey club. 
The most recent debate has been whether the Toronto Maple Leafs are a destination that attracts many suitors for upper management positions. With high expectations, a crazed fan base, and strong media presence, many have questioned whether people are still lining up to work for this Maple Leafs club. Granato dispelled that notion. 
“For certain people, I think there’s a deep love and passion for Toronto, so yes, certain people would kill to be a Maple Leaf,” Granato said. “Toronto is the mecca of hockey still, and it always will be. I think they have the attention of everybody.”
Granato, who previously was the coach for the Buffalo Sabres over parts of four seasons from 2020 to 2024, knows many of the Maple Leaf players well from coaching against them.
“They have a lot of core players. You still have William Nylander, you have Auston Matthews, you have a couple young, exciting guys that fit in and even John Tavares as a key guy. Just from going head-to-head against them for three years, you see the talent they have,” Granato said. “They have some incredible pieces and guys that are really still in the prime of their careers, which is still everything from an impact standpoint. So there’s a lot of assets still there.”
Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have both excelled for the Maple Leafs this year. Stolarz posted a record of 10-10-3, prior to his injury Wednesday, while Woll has compiled a record of 15-15-7 and a .901 save percentage. With both goaltenders being American-born and the Maple Leafs set to miss the playoffs, Granato was asked about what he’s seen from the two this season.
“It’s a tricky situation because the whole team hasn’t done well, so you’re watching their battle level, their commitment and obviously you’re hoping for their health,” Granato said. “It’s tough to commit to too much early because you don’t know what your depth is going to be, but the goaltenders you’ve mentioned have been outstanding, and they’re more than capable. The U.S. is stacked with goaltenders that could qualify for this, which is a good situation.”

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