Overview
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Friday the Leafs cut their GM list to John Chayka and Scott White, with Ryan Martin and Evan Gold no longer in the mix.
- Following in-person interviews in Toronto, no finalist advanced to a second-phase meeting with Rogers chair Edward Rogers, and the team continued due diligence with no immediate decision expected.
- Chayka, the former Coyotes GM known for using analytics, exited Arizona under NHL discipline that included his suspension and the loss of two draft picks for a prohibited private scouting combine.
- White, a longtime Dallas assistant GM and Texas Stars GM since 2009, brings more than 20 years in the Stars organization and a reputation for stressing character in roster decisions.
- MLSE CEO Keith Pelley has signaled a data-first direction and called this hire the most important of his tenure, while prior candidate Sunny Mehta took the Devils’ GM job.