The Maple Leafs' rebuild has seen Toronto go from picking first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, to making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017, to looking like they'll get back to the postseason in 2018. But now, one of the leading executives behind the club's transformation reportedly is considering a shift in his role within the organization.

During "Hockey Night in Canada's" Headlines segment aired during intermission of the Stadium Series game Saturday, the topic of general managers who entered this season without contracts was raised. Sportsnet's Nick Kpyreos reported the Capitals had come to a multi-year agreement with Brian McLellan, one of the executives who entered this season in the final year of a deal.

According to Kypreos that left two general managers in that situation of not having an agreement beyond this season: Ken Holland of the Red Wings, and Lou Lamoriello of the Maple Leafs.

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But Elliotte Friedman quickly jumped in, and said the situation in Toronto may be a bit different.

"Technically, I don't think Lou Lamoriello is in the last year of his contract," he said. "There is term. The question is, Chris [Johnston]: Is the term as general manager, or is there another role he will take in the organization? Technically I don't think he's in the last year of his deal."

Lamoriello joined the Maple Leafs in 2015. A year prior to that, Kyle Dubas was hired as the team's assistant general manager at the age of 28. When team president Brendan Shanahan fired Dave Nonis the following season, but elected to hire Lamoriello instead of promoting Dubas, many thought that Lamoriello would be used to help groom Dubas to eventually be ready to assume that post.

"It's important when we talk about Lou Lamoriello's future to emphasize that this is under the purview of one man," Johnston said. "That's Brendan Shanahan, the president of the Leafs, and anyone at any time can change their minds.

"But there have been whispers out there that going back to last summer, there was a meeting where it was stated out loud in a group setting that this would be Lou Lamoriello's last season as the Leafs' general manager, perhaps transitioning to some other role, which explains what you're reporting, having a couple more years on his deal."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's in an advisory role for a couple more years," Friedman added.

Lamoriello spent 27 seasons as GM of the Devils before stepping down to accept the job in Toronto.

Dubas has been an integral part of the Maple Leafs rebuild, running its AHL team, the Marlies, who currently have the best record of any minor league club. It had been reported during the offseason that Dubas had been granted permission to speak with the Colorado Avalanche about its open general manager position, but no such talks were ever held.

Dubas has maintained that he wants to remain with the Maple Leafs organization, where it has been presumed that whenever Lamoriello is no longer the general manager, it will be Dubas' job.