You can cross the Great One's name off the list of potential candidates to take over the hockey operations of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wayne Gretzky will be staying in Phoenix.
"I have always been a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and wish them luck in the future. Right now my focus is on the Phoenix Coyotes and developing our young talent," Gretzky told NHL on TSN's Darren Pang.
Gretzky was responding to rumours linking him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team he grew up cheering for in Brantford, Ontario.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' search for a new general manager continued in earnest on Tuesday.
Former Vancouver Canucks' general manager Dave Nonis was expected to meet with members of the Maple Leafs organization in Toronto.
However, according to MLSE CEO Richard Peddie, the Leafs aren't going to rush into any decision.
"We've got the luxury of a very experienced GM in Cliff Fletcher. It gives us the luxury of taking the time of picking the very best person."
"I'm also not putting a date on it because it'll start a countdown clock."
Peddie confirmed that the search is progressing and that Fletcher has had a hand in the process.
"I'm the CEO, it goes through me .. but Cliff is helping me out and I feel good. We know who the best people are out there."
Nonis was fired after the Canucks failed to make the playoffs for second time in his three-year tenure with the team.
Prior to being named general manager in Vancouver, Nonis worked under current Anaheim Ducks' general manager Brian Burke, who has been rumoured to be high on the Leafs' list of candidates. Burke has one year left on his current contract with the Ducks.
There has been speculation that hiring Nonis could be the first step toward bringing in Burke to oversee the Leafs' hockey operations in one year's time.
