Is Leafs GM Search Down To Two?

The Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, have narrowed their management search down to a pair of finalists in Dallas Stars Assistant GM Scott White and former Arizona GM John Chayka, but the status of former Vancouver GM Mike Gillis in the mix continues to be a mystery, as well as the involvement of former Leafs Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and/or Tie Domi in the grand scheme of things.

Friedman indicated on an edition of his 32 Thoughts podcast earlier this week that the list of potential candidates was thought to be four(White, NY Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin, and either Boston assistant GM Evan Gold or Chayka), and clarified on Friday that Chayka was the third. The process included in-person interviews on Tuesday, and a possible face-to-face meeting of the favorite with MLSE Chairman Edward Rogers the next day, but that meeting did not take place, which is an indicator that the process is still ongoing.   

The Process

Martin was informed soon after that he had been eliminated as a candidate, leaving White and Chayka as potential finalists. White, 58, is a hockey lifer with a background of coaching in the NCAA (Michigan Tech) and ECHL, and has been in multiple facets and positions within the Dallas Stars organization for 20 years.

Chayka, 36, came from an analytics background to join the Arizona Coyotes as an assistant GM in 2015 and became the youngest GM in NHL history at 26 years old the following year. His tenure in the desert lasted until July, 2020, when he resigned from his position with the Coyotes, but it was discovered that he had been pursuing jobs with other NHL clubs while still working for Arizona, which earned him a one-year suspension.  

Another mark on Chayka’s resume was his holding private workouts for NHL draft prospects separate from the league’s annual combine, an offense that cost the Coyotes a first and second round draft pick.  

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said that he believed that the Leafs were going to choose Chayka, but Friedman was not as definitive. He said that the organization was leaning in that way at this time, but that the process is far from done and could last until next week, while the club looks into both candidates with a fine-toothed comb. 

Is Gillis Still A Candidate?

The status of Gillis in the mix continues to be undefined and mysterious. The club has reportedly met with him twice, but the trail has gone cold since he emerged as a leading candidate earlier in the month, and Friedman shot down speculation that the former Canucks GM had already been hired for some role with the Leafs.  

Although Chayka would seem to be a better fit for the data-centric direction that MLSE chairman Keith Pelley indicated in his infamous presser earlier this month, the Leafs cannot ignore the impressive resume of White and his service at the right hand of arguably the best GM in the sport in Jim Nill.