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Gord Stellick believes Toronto should follow Montreal’s front office model in hiring process
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Coyle
Apr 14, 2026, 09:46 EDTUpdated: Apr 14, 2026, 09:45 EDT
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the National Hockey League’s biggest surprises during the 2025-26 season, but for all the wrong reasons. The club sits second-last in the Eastern Conference, holds a record of 32-35-14, and are set to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. 
On Monday morning, former Maple Leafs general manager Gord Stellick joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and guest co-host Bruce Boudreau to discuss what he’s seen from the Maple Leafs this year, what the off-season holds from a management perspective and the career of Maple Leafs radio announcer Joe Bowen. 
During Monday’s show, Stellick was asked if he could draw any comparisons from this season to the tumultuous period that was known as the ‘Harold Ballard’ era. Ballard was the owner of the Maple Leafs who hired Stellick prior in April of 1988, making Stellick the youngest GM at the time in NHL history at the age of 30. Stellick was quick to dispel that while both teams struggled, this year’s club felt different.
“I wrote a column in the Toronto Star, and I think this is the most disappointing Leafs season ever, not the worst but most disappointing,” Stellick said.
The Maple Leafs are searching for a new head of hockey operations. President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, Keith Pelley, has hired Neil Glasberg and The Coaches Agency to help conduct the process of finding the best candidate to turn the ship around in Toronto. Stellick spoke about his view of Brad Treliving’s firing and what the team should look for in its next general manager. 
“I have to think Keith Pelley is really baffled at the turn of events, because last year they let Brendan Shanahan go, and he seemed pretty keen to work with Tre [Treliving] and Chief [Craig Berube], that he was going to be more involved in the hockey side. I think he claims he hasn’t, but I think this was unexpected and now that press conference, more confused who they are going after,” Stellick said. “I would love him to do something like Montreal did. You get an established guy like Jeff Gorton, then he brings in Kent Hughes. But Keith’s right, this is going to be his most important hire, and I don’t think he ever thought till maybe two months ago he’d have to consider doing this.” 
The legendary Bowen will call his final NHL game on the road in Ottawa when the Maple Leafs wrap up their regular season on Wednesday night. After 43 years, Bowen will be retiring as the voice and icon that many Maple Leafs fans grew up knowing. 
“It’s too bad he has to go out with a whimper and not a bang, because there’s no whimper to Joe Bowen. He enters a room with a bang and broadcasts a game with a bang,” Stellick said. “What a great ride and what a pleasure it was to get to know him and work with him.” 
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