Jason Spezza part of front office changes for Maple Leafs

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As the Maple Leafs are likely to change players on the ice this summer, so the front office will have new faces.

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The appointment of Jason Spezza as special assistant to the general manager technically leaves Kyle Dubas with three AGMs, along with incumbents Brandon Pridham and Laurence Gilman. But the former is a cap specialist, the latter has varied responsibilities, including the Marlies.

In the two weeks since the Leafs were eliminated, senior director of player evaluation Jim Paliafito left the club, as did hockey research and development analyst Cam Charron.

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“It’s the end of four years (as GM), I thought we needed to make changes,” Dubas said Sunday, citing the earlier departures of amateur scouting director John Lilley and pro scouting boss Troy Brodie.

While he will miss Spezza the player, Dubas says it opens a roster spot for a prospect and hopes the veteran’s best qualities have rubbed off on a number of burgeoning Leafs in their mid-20s.

“This more than anything is a chance to take another step, so they’re not just looking at Jason, John (Tavares) or going back to last year, Joe Thornton.”

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