NHL GM Search: Who Will the Predators, Maple Leafs, and Devils Hire?

A fast-moving NHL GM search is under way in Nashville, Toronto and New Jersey, and the candidates are a mix of familiar front-office faces and bold external names. On the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman detailed the slate of interviews — from Tom Fitzgerald and Jeff Kealty in Nashville to Sunny Mehta, John Chayka and Gregory Campbell for Toronto and New Jersey. Below is a breakdown of the likely outcomes, candidate fits, and roster and trade implications for each club.

Predators: Tom Fitzgerald, Jeff Kealty, Kevyn Adams or Brad Treliving? Prediction: Tom Fitzgerald is the frontrunner to land the Predators’ GM role. Analysis: Friedman notes Nashville is leaning external, and Fitzgerald’s candidacy is intriguing because of his history with the club as their first captain and his recent front-office experience elsewhere. Jeff Kealty — an internal assistant GM who reportedly interviewed in person — impressed but may be passed over if the Predators prioritize outside perspective. Kevyn Adams and Brad Treliving remain logical veteran choices if Nashville wants a proven GM who can immediately operate in today’s cap-and-analytics environment. Team implications: A Fitzgerald hire would likely prioritize continuity, player development, and shrewd deadline moves rather than aggressive cap-heavy splashes. Treliving or Adams would suggest a more immediate win-now posture and higher willingness to swap futures for NHL-ready talent.

Maple Leafs: Sunny Mehta, Gregory Campbell and an evolving front office Prediction: Toronto hires a primary GM (likely a strong analytics/front-office figure) and supplements with additional senior hires like Gregory Campbell. Analysis: Friedman expects many interviews and an initial search for “one individual” with the structure to be determined afterward. Sunny Mehta has been connected to multiple clubs; Gregory Campbell’s name has surfaced as a likely supporting hire. Toronto’s approach suggests they want a point person with flexibility to build a broader front office around them. Team implications: The Maple Leafs are in a cap and chemistry crunch. A Mehta-style hire or similar analytics-forward exec could push for cap-efficient trades, contract restructures, and clearer development pathways for prospects — which could mean Toronto becomes a bit more active on the buy-low trade market.

Devils: Sunny Mehta, John Chayka, Jamie Langenbrunner Prediction: New Jersey leans toward John Chayka or an analytics-focused architect. Analysis: The Devils are starting their search internally and plan to move quickly. Friedman flagged Mehta and Chayka “for sure,” with Langenbrunner also possible. Chayka’s track record of structural overhaul and data-driven processes fits the Devils’ youth-and-cap-forward blueprint. Team implications: A Chayka or Mehta hire signals an embrace of long-term roster engineering: cap planning, asset accumulation, and targeted development trades. Expect New Jersey to be patient on blockbuster moves but active in targeted deadline trades to add depth pieces on affordable contracts.

Statistics, market trends and trade themes Turning points in these searches will be how clubs weigh internal continuity vs. outside change. Market trend: teams increasingly prefer GMs with recent front-office experience and comfort with analytics. Trade themes to watch: 1) modest deadline buys for Predators, 2) cap-clearing and optimization moves from Toronto, and 3) Devils targeting complementary depth while preserving core youth.

Quick predictions at a glance

• Predators: Tom Fitzgerald (likely) or experienced external GM. Impact — continuity, development-first trades.
• Maple Leafs: Single GM hire + additional senior hires (Campbell). Impact — cap engineering, targeted trades.
• Devils: John Chayka or Mehta. Impact — structural rebuild acceleration, strategic depth additions.

Future outlook These hires will shape each club’s short- and long-term strategy. Watch interview patterns this week — who gets permission to speak elsewhere, who’s elevated to final-round talks — because the person sitting in the GM chair will determine not only coaching and scouting hires but also the roster moves that define the next playoff push.