Now that Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka has made his first trade with Toronto, it is worthwhile to revisit some of his successful acquisitions during his tenure with the Arizona Coyotes from 2016 to 2020. Chayka, who was the youngest GM in NHL history when hired at age 26, learned on the job in the desert. Now, with the Leafs, he can apply that experience.
Chayka's First Maple Leafs Trade
In his first deal with Toronto, Chayka sent goalie Joseph Woll and defenceman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. In return, the Leafs received defenceman Emil Andrae, goalie Samuel Ersson, and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Andrae, 24, is expected to bring mobility and puck-moving skills to Toronto's blue line. The trade of Woll was difficult for some fans, but Artur Akhtyamov's strong play with the Toronto Marlies in the Calder Cup run prompted the move. It is expected that one of Akhtyamov or Dennis Hildeby will tandem with Anthony Stolarz in 2026-27.
Key Trades in Arizona
Chayka's first notable trade with the Coyotes came in August 2016, acquiring forward Lawson Crouse from the Florida Panthers for a couple of draft picks. Crouse, a former 11th overall pick, became a durable player and scored 24 goals this past season, matching his career high.
In November 2018, Chayka made arguably his best trade, sending forwards Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz has developed into a top NHL centre, signing an eight-year extension with the Utah Mammoth (formerly the Coyotes) in March, and posted career highs of 33 goals and 74 points this season. Strome has become a top player with the Washington Capitals, while Perlini has not played in the NHL since 2021-22.
Other notable trades include acquiring goalie Darcy Kuemper from the Los Angeles Kings in February 2018. Kuemper finished tied for fifth in Vezina Trophy voting in 2018-19. Defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson, acquired from Chicago in June 2017, brought stability to the Arizona blue line.
Drafting Success
Chayka's first draft pick with Arizona, Clayton Keller at No. 7 in 2016, has become a star with at least 86 points in three of the past four seasons. The next pick, defenceman Jakob Chychrun, has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past two years with the Capitals. Later-round success includes Matias Maccelli, chosen 98th in 2019, who has reunited with Chayka in Toronto as a restricted free agent.
Free Agency and Coaching
In free agency, Chayka signed Radim Vrbata, who led the Coyotes in scoring in 2016-17 with 55 points. He also kickstarted defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin's NHL career by signing him out of the KHL. Behind the bench, Chayka hired Rick Tocchet in July 2017, who led the Coyotes to one playoff appearance in four seasons. Tocchet later coached the Vancouver Canucks and now guides the Philadelphia Flyers, who won a first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins this year.
