Sundin returning to Toronto and Maple Leafs have found their new GM

The Toronto Maple Leafs have found their new GM and are bringing back a franchise legend as well. 

It's been just over a month since the Leafs fired Brad Treliving as GM, and after rumours of an intense search, they have settled on his successor. The Leafs made it official that they have hired John Chayka to be their next general manager. 

Leafs legend Mats Sundin will also join the franchise's front office as a senior executive advisor to hockey operations. 

"Today is an important day for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization,"  said MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley in a press release.

"I'm thrilled to welcome John and Mats to their roles, two great hockey minds that will strengthen our entire hockey club. From the start of this process, it's been about building a championship-calibre team for our fans and our city, and today is an important step towards that goal." 

We have named John Chayka the General Manager and Mats Sundin as Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations

Details » https://t.co/25X9aFsYlc pic.twitter.com/vJgSQZoYy9

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 3, 2026

The 36-year-old Chayka is most well-known for his stint as GM of the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes between 2016 and 2020. He holds the honour of being the youngest person to ever serve as an NHL GM, being promoted to that role by the Coyotes at the age of 26. 

"I'm honoured to join the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and excited to work alongside Mats and the entire organization," said Chayka. "This is one of hockey's most historic franchises, with a passionate fan base who want to win.

"I'm focused on building a team that is competitive, driven and relentless – one that is in the best position to win for our fans and for the City of Toronto."

Chayka does have a bit of a controversial past when it comes to working in the NHL. Apart from being one of the more analytically inclined GMs during his time in Arizona, the Ontario native was also involved in a few scandals. 

He was suspended from working in the league for a part of the 2021 calendar year after having been accused of pursuing other opportunities with rival NHL clubs while still under contract with the Coyotes. He and the Coyotes were also found to be hosting illegal scouting combines for NHL draft prospects. 

The idea that the Leafs could bring Sundin back into the fold has been gaining steam over recent weeks. He will rejoin the organization for the first time since playing for the team back during the 2007-08 season. 

"This fan base deserves greatness, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help this team, organization and city achieve that," said Sundin. "My love for the Maple Leafs and the City of Toronto is an important part of who I am and who I will always be.

"I look forward to working closely with John as we both recognize the incredible opportunity and responsibility to win here in Toronto."

This will be Sundin's first job within an NHL team's front office, and it is confirmed that he and his family will be making the move to Toronto. Over the course of his Hall of Fame career, the 55-year-old notched 420 goals and 987 points in 981 games with the Leafs. 

The new Maple Leafs duo will be officially revealed in a press conference on Monday.