• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

Leafs Front Office 2026 | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office

I really don't understand. I have NEVER seen a move so universally panned by both media and fans alike. It's as if MLSE is trolling us. How is this even possible??
 
I really don't understand. I have NEVER seen a move so universally panned by both media and fans alike. It's as if MLSE is trolling us. How is this even possible??

It seems as though Chayka is ruthless. This could be good. Or it could end in tears.

I give the Leafs some credit in trying something a little unorthodox instead of recycling some other GM.
 
I really don't understand. I have NEVER seen a move so universally panned by both media and fans alike. It's as if MLSE is trolling us. How is this even possible??
Because Pelley is an executive idiot.

I don't want to get into a rant but I've worked just under the executive level in financial services for over 25 years and I can't begin to explain the stupid decisions these guys make, and Pelley sounds exactly like alot of the people I've had to deal with. These guys just keep failing upwards.
 
Sundin is here as the enforcer; no actionable title power, but tremendous soft power in his role, reach, and reputation. Whatever decisions are made in hockey ops, be it play on ice or off ice organizational practice, it will have Sundin’s doleful stare behind it.

The superstars basically steamrolled Dubas, Keefe, Treliving, Berube, and to some degree Babcock/Lamoriello, all enabled by Shanahan.
 
I guess the triple bank shot best case scenario is that all the years of following the NHL script hasn't worked so why not go completely off the board.

I will say, the stakes are much lower now than even 3 or 4 years ago. Their window of contention is just about closed anyway you look at it so sure, take a run at the moon over the next two years and then start from scratch.

Why my idol Mats Sundin signed on for this, at this particular time, is the biggest head scratcher of all, to me.
 
Not my first choice, but I can definitely give it a shot. Heck I put on a brave face for the Treliving hire and so how bad can this be.

Chayka represents a lot of the qualities I wanted in a GM. His brand got tarnished in Arizona and I always felt like he deserved a chance to prove himself again somewhere. I certainly didn't expect it to be here and in this type of role though. We'll see. I'll be optimistic in this group until they give an actual reason otherwise.

Which of course leads directly to what their first decision needs to be and that's Berube. He's just gotta go, there's no way around that.
 
My question is, are those Chayka qualities not available in other AGMs that aren't Chayka specifically? Because the baggage (fair or unfair) and the reputation around the league of the publicized situations sort of put him and the Leafs on the backfoot for every interaction going forward. Like choosing to wear a fur coat to crawl through a velcro tunnel.

He hasn't even received a security lanyard and people are already calling the NHL cops and 'media' are jumping at the tabloid opportunities. Again, fair or unfair, it's going to colour the proceedings as people imbibe headlines without critical thinking (like that Simmons hit piece about all the computer terminals).
 
Last edited:
Not my first choice, but I can definitely give it a shot. Heck I put on a brave face for the Treliving hire and so how bad can this be.

Chayka represents a lot of the qualities I wanted in a GM. His brand got tarnished in Arizona and I always felt like he deserved a chance to prove himself again somewhere. I certainly didn't expect it to be here and in this type of role though. We'll see. I'll be optimistic in this group until they give an actual reason otherwise.

Which of course leads directly to what their first decision needs to be and that's Berube. He's just gotta go, there's no way around that.
Dreger, I think it was Dreger, mentioned on First Up that he thinks they will keep Berube to start the season.
 
Back
Top