Chayka Says Maple Leafs Owe Fans More Than One Good Night
Toronto's new GM, 19 weeks into the job, talks about the reshaping that followed a last-place Atlantic finish.
John Chayka grew up a Maple Leafs fan in Jordan Station, Ont. Now, 19 weeks into running the team, he is talking about what that fandom demands.
"I've loved this team for as long as I can remember," the 37-year-old general manager said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press. "Their days can be made or broken on the results of a game... with that comes a real obligation."
Chayka spoke alongside Mats Sundin, brought back as senior executive adviser of hockey operations after Toronto's spring housecleaning. "The hockey capital of the world," Sundin said. "With that comes responsibility. It's a privilege."
The hiring did not go smoothly. At his introductory press conference, Chayka faced pointed questions about his record, including his time as GM of the Arizona Coyotes and the 11-month suspension he served for "conduct detrimental to the league" after seeking work with another club while under contract. He had been out of the NHL since 2020.
"It wasn't the season anyone wanted and changes were made," Chayka said. "I wish I could say I was surprised there were hard-hitting questions."
The changes came fast. Head coach Craig Berube was fired. Four assistant GMs, including Hayley Wickenheiser, were let go or mutually parted ways, with further cuts to the backroom and scouting staffs. Jim Hiller, a Toronto assistant under Mike Babcock from 2015 to 2019, was hired as the 41st head coach in franchise history.
Then Toronto beat the lottery odds and took winger Gavin McKenna first overall in June. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenceman Darren Raddysh were added; Joseph Woll and Brandon Carlo were moved out.
"The plan was to be nimble, but also opportunistic and aggressive," Chayka said.
Auston Matthews is central to any playoff return after a two-season stretch of 60 combined goals, the most recent one cut short by a torn MCL. Chayka says the captain is "full green-light" and watched him shoot pucks for three hours recently.
Training camp opens Wednesday with medicals.
"There's no question fans will love the Toronto Maple Leafs," Chayka said. "The question becomes, 'Can we be deserving of that love?'"
