The Leafs have a couple of key vacancies in the Hockey

Operations Department, and we here at TLN are committed to helping the Leafs

fill those positions. To speed the process along we’ve asked that applicants CC

when they forward their resumes to Brendan Shanahan. The first one we’ve

received is from Mike Futa, who is applying on the General Manager position.

Futa is a strong candidate for this role in that he’s spent

the past 20 years in progressively more significant roles in hockey. He’s quite

new to even the right hand man role, but is coming from what is considered a

very deep front office which produced Ron Hextall as a new GM last summer. Futa’s

experience/inexperience makes him a strong candidate for the committee approach

that Brendan Shanahan has been promoting as the new structure of the Leafs

front office. His strong drafting record is his greatest strength as the Leafs

prepare for the youth movement.

Mike Futa

Looking for a Senior role drawing on my experience in

building a two time Stanley Cup winning team with a focus on player

development.

Work Experience

Vice President, Hockey

Operations and Director of Player Personnel of the LA Kings (May 2014- present)

Currently oversees both pro and amateur scouting, and is the principal advisor

to the President of Hockey Operations. Basically, it’s Ron Hextall’s old gig.

Director of Amateur

Scouting for the LA Kings (June 2007- May 2014)

You know that Drew Doughty pick? That was me. I also found Tanner Pearson,

Tyler Toffoli, Wayne Simmonds, Jake Muzzin, and a slew of other homegrown

players that filled out Stanley Cup rosters and gave the GM cap space to pay

for guys like Kopitar, Brown, Richards, and Carter.

General Manager of

the Owen Sound Attack (2002-2007)

Successfully ran the Attack to five playoff bound seasons and was named OHL

Executive of the Year in 2005. Responsible for all aspects of hockey operations

including player and coaching personnel, as well as scouting. Also served as

Ontario U-17 Director, a team that won the gold medal in 2007.

Achievements

Two, count ‘em, two Stanley Cup rings

OHL Executive of the Year in 2005

Gold Medal with Ontario at the U-17 Tournament

Captain of the York University Hockey Team

Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2006

Best Trade

As a member of the Kings’ front office, I’m going to take partial

credit for flipping Matt Frattin and a couple picks to Columbus for Marion Gaborik. We did, after all, win a Cup right after.

Worst Trade

Andrej Sekara is a solid defenseman, but he’s a UFA on a

cash strapped team. We gave up a first round pick and former second round pick Roland McKeown for a rental in a year

that we missed the playoffs.

Best Draft Pick

Picking Doughty after Stamkos was off the boards was a bit

of a no brainer, but is definitely the best pick accredited to this group.

Taking Tanner Pearson as a skilled overager is a bold move that has

significantly paid off and shows great range.

Worst Draft Pick

Fresh out of the OHL, taking Trevor Lewis, a former Owen

Sound Attack player, in the first round is a bit of a stretch. While Lewis has

been a solid NHLer, he’s not the type of player you want to take early in the

draft. Also picking Derek Forbort right ahead of Tarasenko stings a little.

Personal Interests

Once

won $87,000 on a 50/50 while scouting a World Junior Game

won $87,000 on a 50/50 while scouting a World Junior Game Has twins, so understands the importance of

sibling acts like the Stromes or Nylanders.

sibling acts like the Stromes or Nylanders. Primary residence is in Toronto, which is the

key to successful team management

Hiring Manager’s Notes

Futa is an interesting option, but may require compensation to the Kings. LA has guarded personnel like John Stevens in the past, and kept him from interviewing for head coaching positions, it’s possible they will be equally guarded about Futa, especially since given their cap situation they will require his scouting expertise to find affordable options to support the bloated contracts of Quick, Richards, and Brown.





