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The Toronto Maple Leafs will be under the microscope this season in the wake of their recent hiring of former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka.
Leafs CEO Keith Pelley on Monday, May 4, introduced Chayka as the team's new GM and Hall of Famer Mats Sundin as senior executive adviser of hockey operations. But at the news conference, Pelley faced questions about Chayka's past − after he abruptly resigned from his post in Phoenix just before the 2020 playoffs and later received a one-year suspension from the NHL for "conduct detrimental to the league and game."
In an exchange that later went viral on social media, Pelley responded to a Toronto Sun writer's pointed questioning of the Chayka hiring by responding simply, "We conducted due diligence, and it was a deep due diligence."
Pelley continued: "It was a thorough process. I've read all the reports, I've talked to numerous people; I won't reveal who I've talked to that were close to the process. I'm very happy with where we landed."
The 36-year-old Chayka became the NHL's youngest-ever GM when he was hired 10 years ago by the Coyotes.
However, on July 26, 2020, the team released a scathing statement saying Chayka "quit" on the team and was disappointed in the timing of his decision.
Chayka will have the tall task of turning around a Maple Leafs team that went from first in the Atlantic division two seasons ago to last place this past season − when the Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
The hiring of franchise icon Sundin could help stem any immediate backlash in Toronto. An 18-year NHL veteran, Sundin served as Maple Leafs captain for 10 of his 13 seasons with the team. However, he has never held a front office position in the NHL.
Toronto's Stanley Cup title drought dates back to 1967.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maple Leafs CEO faces harsh questioning over hiring new GM John Chayka
Continue reading...
Leafs CEO Keith Pelley on Monday, May 4, introduced Chayka as the team's new GM and Hall of Famer Mats Sundin as senior executive adviser of hockey operations. But at the news conference, Pelley faced questions about Chayka's past − after he abruptly resigned from his post in Phoenix just before the 2020 playoffs and later received a one-year suspension from the NHL for "conduct detrimental to the league and game."
In an exchange that later went viral on social media, Pelley responded to a Toronto Sun writer's pointed questioning of the Chayka hiring by responding simply, "We conducted due diligence, and it was a deep due diligence."
Pelley continued: "It was a thorough process. I've read all the reports, I've talked to numerous people; I won't reveal who I've talked to that were close to the process. I'm very happy with where we landed."
The 36-year-old Chayka became the NHL's youngest-ever GM when he was hired 10 years ago by the Coyotes.
However, on July 26, 2020, the team released a scathing statement saying Chayka "quit" on the team and was disappointed in the timing of his decision.
Chayka will have the tall task of turning around a Maple Leafs team that went from first in the Atlantic division two seasons ago to last place this past season − when the Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
The hiring of franchise icon Sundin could help stem any immediate backlash in Toronto. An 18-year NHL veteran, Sundin served as Maple Leafs captain for 10 of his 13 seasons with the team. However, he has never held a front office position in the NHL.
Toronto's Stanley Cup title drought dates back to 1967.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maple Leafs CEO faces harsh questioning over hiring new GM John Chayka
Continue reading...
