Hockey Ramblings: Pettersson Signs, Gilman Heads East, & Re-Drafting ’09
Cam Robinson
2018-05-25
Earlier this week, the Maple Leafs hired Laurence Gilman to be their Assistant GM. The former Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Arizona executive brings a terrific resume. He was a capologist, trade negotiator, AHL GM and media darling in Vancouver. His stint on the airwaves with TSN1040 the last year was a great success. He shared countless stories from behind the scenes that illuminated and entertained.
BREAKING: The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former #Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman as part of new GM Kyle Dubas' new front office staff. pic.twitter.com/cX0nKYj7Lv
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) May 24, 2018
Gilman also helped facilitate the Las Vegas expansion process with the league. Additionally, the Winnipeg-native reportedly rejected the GM gig in Carolina (who hasn’t turned that job down though?). He’ll run the Marlies and the Leafs’ Player Development team and bring veteran leadership to Dubas’ team.
There have long been whispers that Canucks’ owner, Francesco Aqualini, had prohibited Gilman from taking an executive position elsewhere. This was Aqualini’s right as he continued to pay Gilman for the remainder of his Vancouver contract. But it certainly isn’t a practice of most organizations. When you fire someone, you let them work elsewhere.