Overview
- Toronto announced Sunday that John Chayka is the new general manager and franchise great Mats Sundin is senior executive advisor, with an introductory press conference set for Monday.
- Sundin will work full time on team culture, player development and leadership support, and he is moving his family back to Toronto for the role.
- Chayka returns to the league after a 2021 NHL suspension for pursuing other jobs while under contract with Arizona and for unauthorized prospect testing that led to forfeited draft picks.
- The organization expects Chayka and Sundin to present a united front, though Chayka holds final say and reports directly to MLSE CEO Keith Pelley.
- Immediate priorities include deciding coach Craig Berube’s status, shaping roster moves and talks with stars such as Auston Matthews, and preparing for the draft process after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.