Big time rumblings that Barry Trotz could take over Leafs as coach AND general manager

Don't look now, folks... but Barry Trotz has been making the media rounds.

Trust me when I say that I've been around this sport long enough to know that when a former NHL coach or GM begins to show up on radio hits, intermission segments or podcasts that it's usually part of an orchestrated attempt to get themselves back into the game. You think Trotz is turning up on radio segments this week just... just because...? Not a chance, Trotz is looking to get back into the game and I'm willing to bet that this media blitz is basically PR for his next job opportunity.

Trotz has gone on record that coaching an Original 6 franchise would "intrigue him" and, by my count, there's only one Original 6 team out there whose head coach is on the hot seat. The Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings all introduced new head coaches this season. The New York Rangers are doing just fine under Gerard Gallant. The Toronto Maple Leafs though? Well... let's just say that Sheldon Keefe's seat is getting a little toasty.

To be perfectly frank, Trotz is exactly what this team needs and I don't just mean behind the bench. On the Bob McCown Podcast today with NHL insider John Shannon, Trotz said that he's most interested in a position with a team that would enable him to not only take on head coaching duties, but to move into a management position, as well. You hear that GM Kyle Dubas? Your seat feeling a little toasty now too?

It's no secret that both Keefe and Dubas are on borrowed time in Toronto and if this team can't get things sorted out this season, I could see both gentlemen out of their jobs. The question to me is... can Trotz come in and take over both jobs? I suspect not. It's rare to see a Coach/GM combo these days like we used to with notable examples being Darryl Sutter and Pat Quinn. With all due respect to Trotz, I'm not sure he's at the level of those two gentlemen, but I'd love to see him give it a shot. If nothing else, Trotz would command some respect from others GMs around the league, something that I'm not sure Dubas has been able to muster in his five years as Leafs' GM. Stay tuned.