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Maple Leafs Appoint Chayka, Sundin as Adviser; Matthews Uncertain

5/6/2026

Summary

Leafs Hire Chayka

Toronto Maple Leafs hired John Chayka as general manager and appointed Mats Sundin senior executive adviser.
Auston Matthews, on a two-year $13.25 million deal, said on April 16 he can’t predict his future with Toronto.
Chayka will meet Matthews to pitch the team, though the press conference offered no retention plan.
With coach Craig Berube’s contract and the Leafs’ missed playoffs in ten years after poor 2025-26 defense, analysts suggested a Matthews trade could involve Zeev Buium.

Summary

Leafs Face Rebuild

The Leafs finished last (32-36-14), making the Boston Bruins set to inherit Toronto’s pick if it falls outside the top five.
Ownership’s refusal to rebuild forces the new front office to retool despite a free-agency market, while Connor Matthews’ no-movement clause limits Toronto’s trade leverage.
General manager Mark Chayka said “hit rate of the moves we make” will decide if the club stays in its window or heads toward a rebuild.

Summary

Matthews Set Return

Auston Matthews is rehabbing an MCL tear and quad contusion from a March hit by Radko Gudas.
Doctors say the injury should not delay his 2026-27 season-opener participation.
He missed the last 16 regular-season games, the first playoff miss in his ten-year Leafs career, and won gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team physicians report no lingering effects that would limit his performance once cleared.

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Leafs Hire Chayka

Toronto Maple Leafs hired John Chayka as general manager and appointed Mats Sundin senior executive adviser.
Auston Matthews, on a two-year $13.25 million deal, said on April 16 he can’t predict his future with Toronto.
Chayka will meet Matthews to pitch the team, though the press conference offered no retention plan.
With coach Craig Berube’s contract and the Leafs’ missed playoffs in ten years after poor 2025-26 defense, analysts suggested a Matthews trade could involve Zeev Buium.

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