Leafs hire Chayka as GM, Sundin as senior advisor
The Toronto Maple Leafs have found their duo to lead the team into the future.
The Maple Leafs have officially announced the hiring of John Chayka as the team’s new general manager. Former captain Mats Sundin is also going to return to the organization as senior executive advisor of hockey operations.
We have named John Chayka the General Manager and Mats Sundin as Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations Details » shorturl.at/WYQiF
Sundin’s new role is in a full-time capacity, as he and his family will be moving back to Toronto, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
This is Chayka’s first NHL job since he was unceremoniously suspended by the league in 2021 for pursuing other opportunities while serving as GM of the Arizona Coyotes. His contract was terminated by the team, even with three seasons remaining. It came a few months after Chayka abruptly left the Coyotes right before the team participated in the bubble playoffs in 2020.
While some cite financial constraints as preventing him from truly building a winning team, others criticize his work, including the infamous Oliver Ekman-Larsson contract that was later bought out. However, the Maple Leafs’ brass, who admittedly wanted someone who is data-driven, believe Chayka is the guy to help turn the team around.
The GM position became available in the final days of the regular season, as the Leafs parted ways with former executive Brad Treliving. It came as the team missed the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the year before they drafted Auston Matthews.
Sundin is expected by some to be a face for the Maple Leafs. Full details will most likely be revealed during an official introductory press conference, which is set for Monday in Toronto.
“Today is an important day for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization,” MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley said. ” I’m thrilled to welcome John and Mats to their roles, two great hockey minds that will strengthen our entire hockey club. From the start of this process, it’s been about building a championship-calibre team for our fans and our city and today is an important step towards that goal.”
The Leafs fired former GM Brad Treliving just prior to the end of the regular season.