Darren Dreger

Now, you know, there's been some speculation this week in this market that it could happen as early as next week, a new general manager in place.

And I ran that by some of the sources that I trust, and I

They just don't see that happening.

You know, they're not that optimistic.

And I'm not going to spot out some of the names because it doesn't really matter.

And then, frankly, some of these guys, you know, they work for other clubs and whatnot.

But the list of AGMs and hockey people and those around the hockey community that have been turnstiled through this process is

is seemingly growing day by day.

And so it's impossible, you know, aside from some of the media speculation on certain individuals to establish where they're at, you know, because again, as of this week, they're still pumping people through and they're having conversations face to face and on Zoom and all of those things.

So it doesn't sound like they're in a place just yet where they're willing to pull the trigger.

So maybe late April, early May is a better target.

Well, I think it's different.

There's no doubt about that.

I wouldn't say that it's weakened or it's lessened in any way.

Why it's different is because of his contract status and the reality he's two years out.

So he's looking at it and he's saying all the right things for the most part.

I mean, Auston Matthews never says anything definitively.

He always leaves some wiggle room when he talks to the media.

And he did that again today.

He acknowledged the fact that he loves being captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.