The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the hiring of John Chayka as their new general manager and Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin as senior advisor for hockey operations on Saturday, following a disappointing season that saw the team miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Club CEO Keith Pelley called the moves a key step toward building a championship team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made significant front office changes on Saturday, naming 36-year-old John Chayka—the 19th general manager in club history—as GM and bringing back legend Mats Sundin, the all-time leading scorer with 987 points, as senior advisor focused on team culture, player development, and leadership.
Chayka returns to the NHL after serving as GM of the Arizona Coyotes from 2016 to 2020. "I am honored to join the Toronto Maple Leafs and look forward to working with Mats and the rest of the organization. This is one of hockey’s most storied franchises with a passionate fan base that wants to win," he said in a press release.
The 55-year-old 'Sudden' Sundin, in his first NHL role since retiring as a player, added: "This fan base deserves greatness and I am grateful for the opportunity to help the team, the organization, and the city achieve it. My love for the Maple Leafs and Toronto is a big part of who I am and always will be."
Keith Pelley, the club's CEO, welcomed both: "I am very pleased to welcome John and Mats to their new roles. They are two strong hockey minds who will strengthen our entire hockey operation."
The hires follow the March departure of former GM Brad Treliving amid a poor season. The team enters the offseason with over $22 million in salary cap space, captain Auston Matthews signed for two more years, and uncertainty over their draft pick, which could go to the Boston Bruins via a prior trade lottery.
