The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to hire Mats Sundin and John Chayka to lead their hockey operations department, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
"As it stands right now, I'm under the impression it's gonna be Sundin and Chayka and they just have to close the deal. Nothing is done until it's done, but that's what I believe is going on," Friedman said during Wednesday's episode of "32 Thoughts: The Podcast."
However, longtime Dallas Stars assistant general manager Scott White hasn't been told that he's out of the running for Toronto's GM opening, The Athletic reports.
Sundin has never worked in an NHL front office. His most relevant experience is a consulting role with Sweden at the 2013 World Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Sundin's title, if he were hired, is unclear, but Friedman believes his role would be substantial.
"I don't think it's a small role. I don't think he's coming here to kiss babies and shake hands. I think they're really hoping he can have an active role in shaping the future of the team," Friedman said.
As a player, Sundin spent 13 seasons in Toronto - 10 as captain - and he's the franchise's all-time points leader (987).
Chayka became the youngest GM in NHL history when the Arizona Coyotes hired him as a 26-year-old in May 2016. The Coyotes posted a 131–147–38 record during his four seasons with the club, making one postseason appearance.
His tenure with the Coyotes ended on ugly terms in July 2020. The organization said he quit on the team by terminating his contract, while Chayka responded by criticizing the club's ownership. In January 2021, the NHL suspended him for a year for conduct detrimental to the league and game. Months earlier, the Coyotes were stripped of multiple draft picks for violating the league's scouting combine policy of conducting physical testing on draft-eligible players under Chayka's watch.
However, as co-founder of hockey analytics company Stathletes, Chayka would certainly fit the "data-centric" mold that MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley is eyeing for Toronto's next GM.
Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold, New York Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin, and former Los Angeles Kings assistant GM Mike Futa are among those who interviewed for Toronto's GM opening but have since been ruled out, per The Athletic. The Maple Leafs also reportedly spoke to former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis, though he hasn't been a part of the later stages of the interview process.
The Maple Leafs fired their previous GM, Brad Treliving, in March.
