Changes are the name of the game in Toronto after the Maple Leafs finally took the call to part ways with general manager Brad Treliving after just under three years of calls failed to pay off.
The NHL is a cut-throat league, and Toronto’s a cut-throat market. Those two ingredients usually make a Molotov cocktail, and this time around, the Leafs curiously decided to fire Treliving on a random Monday.
In any case, the search is now officially up and running to find a new general manager for Toronto, and one name who could be in the running already has some experience handling the pressure in this league.
Ex-Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka Among Maple Leafs’ GM Candidates
A number of names have been listed as potential candidates to take over a busy, busy market in Toronto. As things stand, Doug Armstrong remains the favorite, though the St. Louis Blues plan on having him as the president of hockey operations once he steps down from the GM role.
One name who has been linked from left field is former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka, according to a report from RG Media.
Back in May 2016, Chayka was promoted to the post of general manager of the Arizona Coyotes, becoming the youngest ever to take on the mantle at 26 years old. While Chayka wasn’t the GM when the franchise broke its playoff drought in 2012, he nevertheless oversaw a period where Arizona set franchise records in ticket sales, TV ratings, and corporate partnerships.
Chayka was then named president of hockey operations in July 2017 and ended up signing a long-term contract in November 2019.
However, four years after being named GM, Chayka unceremoniously left the Coyotes, citing differences with the ownership, much to the chagrin of the franchise.
In a 2022 interview with Sportico, Chayka revealed he was suffering from imposter syndrome, having taken over the Coyotes at just 26 years of age. “I should have been exultant. Instead, I was terrified. I was brimming with more uncertainty and anxiousness than I’d experienced in my life,” Chayka wrote in his column.
Chayka also noted that the Coyotes had “operated for years in a negative culture and resource disadvantage measured against our peers.”
Lessons learned from that ill-fated stint will no doubt hold some weight if he lands with Toronto. Per RG Media’s report, Chayka already interviewed with the Maple Leafs in February, along with another unnamed Western Conference team.
Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment head honcho Keith Pelley noted that the organization will take its time to conduct a thorough search for Treliving’s replacement, but also underlined that they will look at a data-forward candidate to fill the role.
Apart from Armstrong and Chayka, Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger has also been linked with the role. Pronger said that he would be open to having a conversation with any franchise, provided it’s the right fit.
As things stand, however, the Leafs have not formally approached any candidates just yet.
