Jim Hiller’s Maple Leafs are giving former Edmonton Oiler Patrick O’Sullivan a considerably larger development position in Toronto.
O’Sullivan has been promoted to director of NHL development, the Maple Leafs said on Sunday, following three years as a development coach for the organization.
“Patrick O’Sullivan has been named Director of NHL Development,” the club declared in a brief statement, making the announcement official. It marks a significant step forward for O’Sullivan since switching from performing to development work.
The relocation is further emphasized by its connection to Edmonton. Before retiring and starting the following chapter of his hockey career, O’Sullivan played in the NHL for the Oilers at one point.
Instead of Edmonton trying to find a home for one of its ex-players, the Maple Leafs have turned O’Sullivan into a growing component of their own hockey business.
He is already very familiar with the NHL lineup in Toronto. O’Sullivan worked directly with Maple Leafs players via skill sessions rather than just prospects during his three seasons as a development coach.
Toronto is continuously adding ex-NHL players.
More weight is given to the advertising by this familiarity. Toronto is not importing someone from outside to start from scratch to learn the organization. Someone who has already spent years interacting with the Maple Leafs players and development personnel is being given additional responsibility.
The position also benefits from O’Sullivan’s 334 NHL games. He concluded his playing career with 58 goals and 161 points, appearing for Los Angeles, Edmonton, Carolina, Minnesota, and Arizona.
This is another instance of a past Oiler taking on significant responsibility in a different region of the league, as evidenced by his time in Edmonton. He has since been placed in a position to participate directly in the development of Toronto’s NHL roster.
The timing is critical because the Maple Leafs are reorganizing their hockey organization after a difficult season. Toronto ended with a 32-36-14 record and didn’t make the postseason, putting pressure on adjustments that went beyond the team.
O’Sullivan’s promotion builds on the organization’s prior significant leadership team changes and its continuing internal restructuring. Instead of replacing him, Toronto concluded that his efforts throughout the last three seasons merited a larger mandate.
O’Sullivan is a part of the Oilers’ history. The former Edmonton striker has become an integral part of the Maple Leafs’ future plans.
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