The Toronto Maple Leafs are turning the page. The club introduced franchise legend Mats Sundin as its senior executive adviser of hockey operations and John Chayka as general manager on Monday, confirming a long-rumored front office overhaul.
Sundin, a Hockey Hall of Famer and the Leafs' all-time leader in points, returns to the organization after retiring in 2009. This marks his first front-office role. Chayka, meanwhile, makes his NHL return after a six-year absence. He originally became the league's youngest-ever GM at age 26 with the Arizona Coyotes, where he was known for his analytics-driven approach and bold trades. His tenure ended in controversy, including a suspension and draft pick forfeiture.
The pair inherits a team at a crossroads after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, a collapse that cost former GM Brad Treliving his job and left the president role vacant.