written in collaboration with Alec Brownscombe The Toronto Maple Leafs officially introduced John Chayka and Mats Sundin as GM and Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, respectively, on Monday. A lot was said, and a lot was still left to the imagination. The introductory press conference featuring Keith Pelley, Sundin, and Chayka didn’t initially alleviate […]
The post The good, the bad, and the still-unanswered from John Chayka and Mats Sundin’s press day appeared first on Maple L...
about 2 months ago
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Maple Leafs GM John Chayka joined Elliotte Friedman to discuss the tampering accusations on day one of the job, his reception and reputation around the league, the challenge facing him in Toronto, his belief in Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and the areas in need of change on the roster. On the first day of […]
The post John Chayka on the challenges of managing in Toronto: “I don’t think the league is going to do us any favours writ large… We’re going to focus on what we can control” ...
about 2 months ago
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On their first day as the new leaders in hockey operations for the Maple Leafs, John Chayka and Mats Sundin joined Real Kyper & Bourne to discuss their process of assessing the organization, charting a path forward, the culture they’re seeking to build, and whether Auston Matthews and William Nylander are “untouchables.” How did the […]
The post John Chayka on whether the Leafs are still building around Matthews & Nylander going forward: “That’s a fair assessment… We are talking about world-...
about 2 months ago
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After his introductory press conference as the 19th GM in Maple Leafs history, John Chayka discussed the media pressure in Toronto, his reputation around the league, the challenge of retooling the roster, and his relationship with Mats Sundin. What does it mean to you to be the GM of this team? Chayka: It is special. […]
The post John Chayka on the questions about his reputation around the NHL: “I have a lot of really great relationships around the league… I was able to do a lot of transacti...
about 2 months ago
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After his introductory press conference as the Maple Leafs’ new Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, Mats Sundin discussed his decision to transition into a managerial role, the backlash surrounding John Chayka’s hiring, his familiarity with European hockey/prospects, and the opportunity to work with William Nylander and Auston Matthews. What made this the right time […]
The post Mats Sundin on the backlash surrounding John Chayka as the Leafs’ new GM: “I’ve watched John for a long...
about 2 months ago
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The newest General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Chayka, discussed his childhood connection to the franchise, the interview process, his controversial exit from Arizona, and his plans for the first few weeks on the job. Opening Statements Chayka: This is not just a job. Being the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs […]
The post John Chayka on the importance of selling Auston Matthews on a winning vision in Toronto: “I just came from an organization where we spent our entire...
about 2 months ago
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MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley discussed the hiring of Mats Sundin and John Chayka into senior management positions with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Opening Statements Pelley: We are here today, but we are coming off a heartbreaking loss last night for the Raptors in Cleveland. I can tell you that the Raptors were the […]
The post Keith Pelley on the rumours surrounding Tie Domi’s involvement in Chayka’s hiring as Leafs GM: “There have been countless erroneous reports and inaccurate inform...
about 2 months ago
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The Maple Leafs’ new Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, Mats Sundin, discussed his decision to move back to Toronto to join the Leafs’ management and what he can bring to the organization’s front office. Opening Statements Sundin: I am extremely proud and excited to be sitting here today. I am very emotionally connected to […]
The post Mats Sundin on working with John Chayka in Leafs management: “We have the same vision of what a winning team looks like… I think we’re going to co...
about 2 months ago
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Head coach John Gruden discusses the Toronto Marlies taking a 2-1 series lead against the Laval Rocket with a 6-2 victory in Game 3. On the team’s performance: It starts right away with us taking advantage of a power play. That carries over to the five-on-five game as well. I thought they set the tone. […]
The post John Gruden on Mats Sundin joining the Leafs’ front office: “His name speaks for itself… We’re excited to work with him as a staff” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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The worst-kept secret in hockey is now confirmed, as the Toronto Maple Leafs have officially hired Mats Sundin and John Chayka into senior management positions. Chayka will become the 19th General Manager in Leafs history, while Sundin will come on board as the Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations. Regarding the power structure, Elliotte Friedman […]
The post Analysis: Keith Pelley makes big, controversial gamble on John Chayka as Leafs’ new GM/head of hockey ops appeared first on M...
about 2 months ago
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“We went down early, but we just stuck to our game. The power play came through, as did the PK. That’s just a nice team win, which gives us a lot of confidence to go back home to play in front of our fans.” – William Villeneuve The resiliency of the bounce back of being […]
The post Easton Cowan makes his mark as Toronto Marlies storm back to tie series in Laval appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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Head coach John Gruden discusses the Toronto Marlies’ 6-2 Game 2 victory over the Laval Rocket, tying the series at 1-1. On Easton Cowan’s highlight-reel end-to-end goal: He has high expectations for himself, and it has been a lot for a young man. He is a winner. Even the way the first period went, for […]
The post John Gruden on Easton Cowan’s end-to-end goal in Game 2 vs. Laval: “A dynamic player who can make big plays in big moments… He’s a winner” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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On the latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman provided some updates on the Leafs’ executive search, which appears to be nearing its end with Sundin-Chayka as the probable outcome. Friedman on the rival GM the Leafs sought permission to speak to Friedman: James Mirtle had a line about Toronto being turned down after asking to speak […]
The post Latest from Friedman: Maple Leafs tried to speak to Julien BriseBois; Sundin-Chayka hires still progressing in the “proper direction” appeared first o...
about 2 months ago
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“I thought we played pretty well. They capitalized on two or three of our mistakes and we [have to] live with it. We had some really good scoring chances. I think we just have to stick with it.” – Bo Groulx “We did a lot of good things, and we started well. A lot to […]
The post Despite solid Game 1 effort, a pair of defensive-zone turnovers cost Toronto Marlies in Laval appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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The Toronto Marlies defeated the Rochester Americans 2-1 in the first round to set up a mouth-watering clash with the vaunted Laval Rocket. Regular Season Series For the second straight season, Laval was crowned North Division champions. The Rocket held off the late-charging Syracuse Crunch to retain their title and ensured home advantage against divisional […]
The post Toronto Marlies vs. Laval Rocket: Second Round Playoff Series Preview & Schedule appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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There was a very brief update from Elliotte Friedman about the Leafs’ executive search on his Oilers NOW segment on Tuesday night, but it was a bit of a bombshell: “We are waiting for Mats Sundin’s decision. I believe, if he says yes, it will be a John Chayka-Mats Sundin combination.” The cynical angle on […]
The post Latest from Friedman: If Sundin agrees to Leafs job, Chayka-Sundin will lead the new management group appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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Ahead of Wednesday’s Game 1 against the Laval Rocket, Marlies head coach John Gruden discussed Easton Cowan’s desire to make a bigger impact in the second round, the matchup against the Rocket, the status of Matt Benning, and the decision to start Dennis Hildeby in Game 1. Easton Cowan said he feels like he can […]
The post John Gruden on Easton Cowan’s potential impact in Round 2 for the Marlies: “I know he is a gamer… When his back is against the wall, that kid will show up” appeared first...
about 2 months ago
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“We played a lot smarter, stayed above them a lot more, and were able to shut a lot more things down against them.” – Ryan Tverberg “Right out of the gate, the hustle was there. A big goal by Ryyno (Ryan Tverberg) — that line was awesome. The Beast (Dennis Hildeby) was phenomenal.” – Vinni […]
The post Ryan Tverberg scores first playoff goal, Dennis Hildeby a rock between the pipes as Toronto Marlies punch ticket to second round appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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Maple Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher joined Overdrive to discuss the team’s disappointing season, the ups and downs of his individual season, the treatment of players in Toronto, and the uncertain future for him and the organization this offseason. What did you make of the Ridly Greig sucker punch, as a player in the league? Stecher: […]
The post Troy Stecher on the perks of being a Maple Leaf: “I’ve played for multiple teams, so I can compare… You are not treated that well across the league ...
about 2 months ago
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Head coach John Gruden discusses the Toronto Marlies’ play-in series victory over Rochester. On the team’s series-winning performance: I thought we set the tone early. We were on our toes. We were doing a lot of the right things to give us success. We started with a lot of zone time in the offensive zone, and […]
The post John Gruden on the Marlies leaning on both goalies in their series win over Rochester: “It’s a complete luxury for us to have” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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“We didn’t do a very good job executing our game plan. When you’re connected and willing to simplify things, everything happens naturally. But if you want to go off script, do it your way and freelance, not much gets done. It’s a good lesson for them, but they should already know this. This is playoff […]
The post Winner-takes-all Game 3 set for Sunday after Toronto Marlies go “off script” in shutout loss to Rochester appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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On Friday’s 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman cleared the air on the Leafs’ ongoing interview process and the current finalists for the role of head of hockey operations. John Chayka and Scott White are the Maple Leafs’ finalists Friedman: I have more clarity since our last pod. I said the finalists were Ryan Martin from the […]
The post Latest from Friedman: John Chayka and Scott White are the Leafs’ finalists for “head of hockey operations” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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The scuttlebutt on the Maple Leafs’ executive search — who is in, who is out, who is the favourite — is completely all over the place now. Given MLSE’s desire to tighten up the abject leakiness surrounding the end of the season through to the beginning of this hiring process, perhaps the idea now is […]
The post Maple Leafs Front Office Candidates, Part 2: Tim Barnes, Jason Spezza, Judd Moldaver & Laurence Gilman appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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“In a best-of-three, we know we can’t afford a bad start, especially against a team that transitions like they do and gets after it. Any mistake that you make, they will be quick to transition. We did a really good job of managing that, establishing some forechecking time, and making them defend. That started right […]
The post Artur Akhtyamov notches first career playoff shutout, Toronto Marlies dominate Rochester in Game 1 appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
about 2 months ago
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After the Toronto Marlies’ 5-0 win over the Rochester Americans in Game 1 of the playoff play-in series, head coach John Gruden discussed a great start to the playoffs, the special teams’ success, the decision to start Artur Akhytamov in goal, and why this year’s playoffs might be different from those in the recent past. […]
The post John Gruden on the Marlies’ potential in the playoffs this spring: “All of the years before, when the Leafs were in the playoffs, we were depleting… This year, ...
about 2 months ago
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