- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports John Chayka and Scott White are the only candidates left for the Leafs’ top hockey ops job
- Toronto is leaning Chayka’s way despite his 2021 NHL suspension, but nothing is finalized
- Read below for both backstories, the video, and what happens next
The Maple Leafs are down to two for their next head of hockey operations, and the candidates could not be more different.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared on Friday’s 32 Thoughts that the search has narrowed to John Chayka and Scott White. Rangers AGM Ryan Martin was told this week he was out of the running, leaving Chayka and the Stars’ assistant GM as the last two standing.
“I do believe the organization is leaning that way (Chayka), but we’re far from done,” Friedman said. “I don’t think anything is going to be finalized this week or over the weekend.”
Chayka, 36, became the youngest GM in NHL history when Arizona hired him in 2016. He hasn’t worked in hockey since 2020, when he resigned from the Coyotes under controversial circumstances.
Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended him for pursuing opportunities with other clubs while still under contract. Arizona also lost a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 first-rounder over a private scouting combine he ran for draft-eligible prospects.
Here’s the video of Friedman walking through the fallout from those Coyotes years:
White is the other end of the spectrum. The 58-year-old has been with the Stars since 2005, working his way up from the AHL affiliate to assistant GM under Jim Nill. He’s known for valuing character as much as talent, and Toronto’s brass got a long look at him when the team interviewed him for the role last weekend.
The Leafs fired Brad Treliving on March 30 after another disappointing first-round playoff exit. MLSE CEO Keith Pelley wants the hire done before the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine in mid-May, but Friedman noted neither finalist has met with Edward Rogers yet. That second-round meeting is the final box to check.
Pelley has called this his biggest decision yet. Toronto looks ready to take its time getting it right.
