The Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced their front office hires Sunday afternoon, naming Mats Sundin senior executive advisor, hockey operations and John Chayka general manager.
The team will hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Toronto at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT introducing the pair. Stream it LIVE on TSN.ca and the TSN App.
The hiring ends a search that began over one month ago following the firing of previous general manager Brad Treliving on March 30. He was let go near the end of his third season with the club.
“Today is an important day for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization,” said MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley in a news release Sunday. “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 said Sundin, a franchise icon, will “serve as a strategic advisor and provide support across hockey operations, with a focus on team culture, player development and leadership support.”
“This fan base deserves greatness and I am grateful for the opportunity to help this team, organization and city achieve that,” said Sundin. “My love for the Maple Leafs and the City of Toronto is an important part of who I am and who I will always be. I look forward to working closely with John as we both recognize the incredible opportunity and responsibility to win here in Toronto.”
At 26, Chayka was the NHL’s youngest GM when he was hired by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. He developed a reputation for data usage -- a quality Pelley said would be valued during the organization’s front office search this spring -- but resigned on the eve of the playoffs in July of 2020. He was suspended by commissioner Gary Bettman for one year in 2021 for “conduct detrimental to the league and game” after pursuing job opportunities with other teams while still employed by Arizona.
The Coyotes were also penalized with the loss of their second-round pick in 2020 and their first-rounder in 2021 after holding unauthorized workouts with draft prospects. Chayka has not worked in the NHL since.
“I’m honoured to join the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and excited to work alongside Mats and the entire organization,” said Chayka. “This is one of hockey’s most historic franchises, with a passionate fan base who want to win. I’m focused on building a team that is competitive, driven and relentless – one that is in the best position to win for our fans and for the City of Toronto.”
The Maple Leafs finished last season with a 32-36-14 record and hold the fifth-best odds heading into the NHL draft lottery on Tuesday.
