The Toronto Maple Leafs' search for a new general manager appears to be narrowing to two candidates from contrasting hockey backgrounds: former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka and Dallas Stars assistant general manager Scott White. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, these two have emerged as the frontrunners from an initial list of four or five favorites.
Finalists Emerge
The other two assistant general managers, Evan Gold of the Boston Bruins and Ryan Martin of the New York Rangers, have been eliminated. They may now pursue openings with the Vancouver Canucks or Nashville Predators. The advancement of White and Chayka also distances the possibility of either working under a senior hockey operations president, a role former Canucks boss Mike Gillis is believed to have discussed with the team.
Friedman reported that while the initial plan was for shortlisted candidates to meet with Rogers Communications chair Edward Rogers after speaking with MLSE officials, that meeting has not yet occurred. Instead, White and Chayka are undergoing further due diligence, with Friedman suggesting Chayka may have an edge.
Timeline for Decision
A decision could come next week, which will also mark the NHL-record 59th year of the Leafs' Stanley Cup drought.
John Chayka: The Analytics Prodigy
At 36, Chayka became the NHL's youngest GM at age 26 with the Arizona Coyotes. The Lincoln, Ontario native was expected to revitalize a franchise plagued by ownership and arena issues. The Coyotes ended an eight-year playoff drought in 2020, but just before the COVID bubble, Chayka resigned amid a dispute with then-owner Alex Meruelo.
Chayka had sought permission to speak with another team—rumored to be the New Jersey Devils—to expand his knowledge, but a job was discussed, leading to league sanctions. That, along with pre-draft testing violations, cost the Coyotes draft picks. Despite this, Chayka's analytics background with Stathletes, a company he founded after business studies at the University of Western Ontario, aligns with MLSE CEO Keith Pelley's data-driven approach. After a one-year suspension from commissioner Gary Bettman, Chayka has worked in sports consulting and sits on the board of Wendy's Canada.
Scott White: The Patient Veteran
White, 58, from suburban Montreal, has spent 13 years under GM of the year candidate Jim Nill in Dallas. A sixth-round pick of the Quebec Nordiques in 1986, he has a minor-league playing background and 20 years in the Stars' hockey department. He specialized in player development, contracts, and NCAA recruiting after 11 years as AHL GM of the Texas Stars, who won the Calder Cup in 2014. White is also well-versed in analytics.
Immediate Challenges
Whoever takes the reins—possibly with an advisory role for franchise points leader Mats Sundin—will face urgent issues. Pelley prefers a retool over a rebuild, which could affect captain Auston Matthews' future with two years left on his contract. Matthews has reportedly assured Pelley there will be no repeat of the Mitch Marner contract saga. The new GM's relationship with coach Craig Berube is also key; Berube's strategic missteps and the team's poor finish might have led to his dismissal, but as a friend of Pelley, he may get another chance.
