The Toronto Maple Leafs could unveil their new management as soon as Monday.
According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, the Maple Leafs are expected to have a press conference on Monday to announce the hiring of Mats Sundin and John Chayka to run the organization.
If this does occur, it will end weeks of speculation about Sundin and Chayka being the team’s top options. Sundin would reportedly come into the fold as the vice president of hockey operations, while Chayka would act as general manager.
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Sundin hasn’t worked in a management role with an NHL club since retiring in 2009, but has reportedly followed the Maple Leafs closely as of late.
The Hall of Famer and former Toronto captain has been around the team, though, as a guest at training camp in the fall of 2024, and he returned to the city in January when Auston Matthews broke his franchise goals record.
Chayka hasn’t had an NHL gig since he was GM of the Arizona Coyotes, from 2016 to 2020.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs also requested to speak with Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, but were not granted permission. The Lightning are still in the playoffs, with a do-or-die Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.
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If the Maple Leafs do end up holding a press conference on Monday, it’ll be one day before the NHL’s Draft Lottery. Toronto has the fifth-best odds at landing the first overall pick at 8.5 percent.
The John Chayka Calculus: Is The Former ‘Boy Wonder’ The Right Fit For The Maple Leafs?
The John Chayka Calculus: Is The Former ‘Boy Wonder’ The Right Fit For The Maple Leafs? If John Chayka ends up being the Maple Leafs’ choice to lead hockey operations, he must be able to articulate his past mistakes and demonstrate growth.
However, if their pick falls outside the top five, the Boston Bruins will be awarded the selection due to the conditions on the pick when Toronto acquired Brandon Carlo at the trade deadline in March 2025.
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It remains unknown what other changes could occur within the Maple Leafs organization beyond the hirings of Sundin and Chayka.
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