Chayka & Sundin Announced as New Leafs Management — FULL Press Conference

[0:00] Thank you Steve, appreciate it. Thank you for joining us here today at Real [0:05] Sports and it's wonderful, even though I can't see all of you up there, it's [0:10] wonderful to have our MLSE staff here as well. Say hi up there. There you go, there [0:18] you go. It's great to see the alumni here as well. Doug, Darcy and Wendell, [0:25] let's have a round of applause. So we're here today but we're coming off a [0:35] heartbreaking loss last night for the Raptors in Cleveland. But I can tell [0:43] you that the Raptors were the youngest team in the NBA playoffs and I think you [0:50] will all agree they played with tremendous, tremendous heart against [0:56] Cleveland. The future is incredibly bright for the Toronto Raptors and with [1:03] yesterday's announcement, I believe the future is incredibly bright for the [1:08] Toronto Maple Leafs. To our fans, you are amongst the best in the world. Your [1:17] unwavering passion, loyalty and continued support for the Toronto Maple Leafs is [1:24] greatly appreciated. The Maple Leafs, let alone the Stanley Cup, have not made it to [1:32] the conference finals since 2002 when this young man was the captain. [1:39] That's 24 years and it's a 24 long years. And quite honestly, that's not good enough. And we [1:56] understand Leafs nation's frustration. And that is why, and that is why when during [2:04] this comprehensive search, when we identified an opportunity to go in a [2:10] different direction and bring two stellar complementary hockey minds together in John [2:18] and Mats, we jumped on it. We jumped on it. And then during the process, we realized that [2:25] these two gentlemen had a long-standing relationship dating back to 2012 when they [2:31] first met in the Memorial Cup in London. They have kept in touch, but more [2:35] importantly, the respect they had for each other and the way they talked about [2:42] each other was palpable during the entire process. And there is no question that we [2:49] believe this tandem will co-orchestrate a vision that aligns the organization from [2:56] ownership right through to the dressing room. Before I hand it over to John, I [3:05] wanted to thank Neil Glassberg from the Coaches Agency. Neil was pivotal and integral [3:12] in this entire process. I think we talked to, I think the number was 27 people, but Neil [3:20] facilitated everything. He didn't have a vote, but he facilitated everything. And he [3:24] was absolutely awesome helping us to get where we are today. So before I pass it over [3:31] to John, I want to say to Mats, thank you for moving your family here. It was a big [3:39] decision and we are incredibly grateful that you made that move. And to John, you [3:47] know how I'm excited to introduce you right now. And so without any further ado, here is [3:53] your 19th general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Chayka. Thank you, Keith. Good afternoon, [4:07] everyone, and thank you for coming. I know you guys have a busy schedule, so I appreciate you coming [4:10] out. Edward Rogers, Tony Steferi, Keith, the board, and everyone at MLSC, thank you for your trust. [4:17] I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm fully aware of the responsibility that comes with it. [4:21] I also want to thank my beautiful wife, Catherine, who's here today, and our three kids, [4:26] Steele, Capri, and Monterey. Love you guys. Your support makes all this possible. I'm grateful [4:33] and proud to have you here with me because this is not just a job. Being the general manager of the [4:37] Toronto Maple Leafs carries an enormous obligation to the team, the community, the alumni, our players, [4:45] our partners, and to millions of fans across the world. I don't say that in an abstract way. [4:50] I've witnessed it. I've lived it since I was a kid. I grew up about 45 minutes from here in Jordan [4:55] Station. My dad took me to games at the Maple Leaf Gardens where I fell in love with the game. [5:00] I sat in the stands at the Air Canada Centre and rooted for number 13, our captain. [5:05] Matt, it will be an honor to work with you. I understand precisely how much this organization [5:10] matters to the city and our country. I understand the weight of our long wait. To Leafs Nation, [5:16] this is your team. I share your passion for hockey, for this team, and for its history. That said, [5:23] I'm not here to romanticize this opportunity. I'm here to build something that delivers. There's no [5:27] avoiding the realities of the challenges ahead. This is one of the most coveted roles in sports and [5:32] also one of the most demanding. You don't meet a challenge like this by chasing moments. You meet [5:37] it by building an organization that consistently creates them. Great teams beat talented teams, [5:44] but great organizations beat great teams. That's the standard we must meet at every level of the [5:49] organization. I'm a realist, so I want to address an element of my past up front. I understand there'll [5:56] be lots of questions about my path, about my time away from the game, and about my time in Arizona. [6:01] That experience shaped me. It required discipline, creativity, and resilience. I've made decisions [6:08] I'm proud of, and I've also made mistakes that I've learned from. I'm human. I own all of it, [6:13] and I'm better because of it. I would also say this. The game has evolved since I left the Coyotes. [6:18] I view that shift as a positive. I didn't live off the grid. I stayed obsessed with the game, [6:23] our league, the role of process, of data, of integrated decision making. These are no longer [6:28] emerging ideas. They're essential to how elite NHL organizations operate. That alignment between [6:33] where the game stands today and how I believe in building teams, that's part of what makes this [6:38] opportunity so incredibly compelling. I also understand another reality. Nothing I say here [6:44] today earns credibility in this market. That will come from how we operate, the decisions we make, [6:49] the consistency of our approach, and ultimately the results we achieve on the ice. What we're building here [6:56] must be better, must be more than a great roster. It must be an organization that is aligned, [7:00] integrated, and accountable. Every function from hockey ops, scouting, development, performance, [7:05] medical, analytics, and technology must work towards a single objective to create an environment where [7:10] players improve faster here than anywhere else in the league. That's the goal, and it starts with [7:16] culture. High standards, high talent density, and a mindset where the best idea wins. That requires alignment [7:22] from the entire organization, ownership to front office, right down to the bench. It requires honesty, [7:28] it requires discipline, and it requires a willingness to challenge each other. Our fans bring pride and [7:34] passion to this game every day. They deserve to see that reflected on the ice. Our players deserve the [7:41] same from us. They need to know when they walk into the locker room we share their commitment down to our DNA. [7:46] They need to know that we'll be honest with them, that we will challenge them. We'll give them every [7:51] resource necessary to succeed. That standard is non-negotiable. Players are at the center of [7:57] everything we do, and we'll treat them that way. Our responsibility is to create an environment where [8:02] they can perform at their best and at the highest level. There are real decisions in front of us. [8:06] Roster construction, coaching alignment, development, performance infrastructure. We'll approach those [8:11] decisions in every decision, clarity and intent. At the same time, we want to build something that lasts. [8:18] That requires consistency, it requires conviction, and it requires decisive leadership. I know what [8:24] this team means to people, I know what's been invested, and I know what's expected. The city's been [8:29] waiting a long time for its 14th championship. Our responsibility is to build something worthy of [8:35] that patience. Toronto, I say this with every ounce of conviction in my heart, it's time. Let's get to work. [8:42] Thank you. Now our senior executive advisor, Matt Sandeen. Thank you very much, and thanks everybody for coming. [8:55] I'm extremely proud and excited to be sitting here today. Thanks to the MLC board, Keith Pelley, [9:03] and for all of you to come in here. I'm very emotionally connected to the team, to the city. [9:11] It's been my home for 13 years, 11 years as a captain, and I've known John for a long time, [9:19] and I think we have the same vision of what a winning team looks like. And I think that we touched on it, [9:27] we're going to complement each other perfectly. You know, 18 years playing in the National Hockey League, [9:35] on the international stage, following the Toronto Maple Leafs the last 10 years very closely, [9:42] on the international level, prospects. I'm really looking forward to this challenge, and the experience [9:51] I think for the MLC and Keith Pelley too, and we have some great examples here, to earlier generations of [9:59] Toronto Maple Leafs, to bring that in to the mix as a compliment to John. There were things in the past [10:06] that's done really well for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and there are things that we should learn from that's [10:11] maybe been mistakes. And that's in regards to the locker room management and so forth. And I think that [10:18] experience I hope to contribute with, and represent other generations of players like Wendell sitting here, [10:25] Darcy and Doug. And I'm very proud to have a chance to represent earlier generations of Toronto Maple Leaf players. [10:32] So I'm really looking forward to this, and to the Toronto fan base, the greatest fan base in the world. [10:40] There's no, this is the hockey capital of the world. We're going to do everything we can to get a winning team here, [10:48] and make you guys proud. Thank you. Thank you gentlemen. Please raise your hand for a question. [10:58] Start with Mark right there, and then Gino. Hey Keith, Mark with TSN, just right in front of you here. [11:08] Oh there you go. How would you describe why John is the right man for this job? [11:12] I'm sorry? How would you describe why John is the right man for this job? Well I think we were [11:19] incredibly impressed and encouraged by John's vision that he shared with us during the process. [11:25] Then we conducted extensive due diligence that confirmed what we already believed about John's capabilities. [11:35] And we are incredibly confident in where we landed. I remain impressed by John, and I think you will as well. [11:45] One of the key characteristics that came through in the entire process, he's methodical and he's measured. [11:53] And the combination of John and Matt's is really, really strong. Gino? [12:02] A question for Keith and John. You mentioned, John, about the fact that you [12:12] remained in contact with everything that was going on in the league. But it's a full-time job. Being a GM in [12:18] this league is a full-time job. GMs will tell us that that's all they do every moment of every day, watching that. [12:25] Yeah. Yet you had a full-time job. Yep. So my question to both of you is, is there a concern that there's going to be [12:32] a window where you're going to have to catch up to the other GMs who have been in and around the league [12:39] since you've been away from the league? There's no concern from my side. Yeah, I would just echo that, [12:46] you know, while I had a full-time job, that part of that job was involved in sports as well. It was a different [12:51] side of sports on the capital side. And so to go around and meet different organizations across the globe, [12:56] you know, see what a world-class organization looks like, how they're structured, how they're resourced, [13:01] how they're creating competitive advantages, right from ownership down through the players, [13:05] it was an incredibly valuable lens. And so, you know, I think if I had not been a general manager [13:10] previously, that would be more concern for me. But the fact that I've sat in the chair and now have, [13:16] you know, a different lens as well, I think it's actually been a real positive to learn and grow and, [13:21] you know, become more diverse in my thoughts and opinions. And I think that'll be a real asset for me, [13:25] actually. Yeah, sure. There's still no concern for me. I'd echo that. He knows the players in the [13:50] league, Geno. Josh Clipperton with the Canadian Press. John, you talked about mistakes from Arizona. [13:57] I'm just wondering if you can explain from your point of view what happened with the combine [14:00] testing and your exit and the suspension that followed. Yeah, I'd just say like, you know, [14:06] Arizona was a really complicated situation and it was the biggest challenge I ever took on in my life. [14:12] And it was honestly the hardest thing I ever did. And also in a lot of ways, the most rewarding. [14:17] You know, I took it on at a very young age, met a lot of great people. We were really proud, [14:23] that group of keeping the Coyotes in Arizona during my tenure. That was through a lot of hard work from [14:29] a lot of people that have been there for a long time, as well as league support. You know, as I move [14:35] forward, you know, it really teaches me the value of stability. You know, again, to no one's fault, [14:40] there was just a lot of work being done to try to find a new arena, you know, find new ownership, [14:45] etc. And as those things happen, there's a lot that gets missed. And so, you know, the value of [14:51] stability, the value of alignment, I think are, you know, two key tenants that I take from that. [14:57] Steve Simmons? Steve Simmons, Toronto's son for Keith. You talk about the due diligence that you did on [15:05] John, prior to hiring him and now hiring him. In the past, say, three to four days, I have been in [15:13] contact with about 20 people who work in the National Hockey League, many of whom are prominent [15:18] names that we would all know. And of the 20 people I spoke to, one was supportive of John's hiring, [15:24] and the other 19 thought it was a sham, to be perfectly honest. Words were used like con artist, [15:30] liar, salesman. How did you come to a different conclusion that I was able to come to in a very [15:36] short time? I must have talked to different people. That's it? Because the hockey world today [15:44] is astounded by this announcement. Okay. And your response to that? As we've conducted due diligence, [15:52] and it was deep due diligence, it was a thorough process, and I'm quite happy with where we've landed. [15:59] Rosie? Hi, Rosie DiMano from the Toronto Star, and I'm confused. I don't, correct me if I'm wrong, [16:08] but I don't think either of these gentlemen have been given the title head of hockey operations, [16:14] is that correct? John is the general manager of hockey operations. Okay. So I'm not sure which of [16:23] these men is senior, and how the organization will work. Who reports to you? Sure. Who makes the final [16:34] decision? Sure. So as my, the role of CEO is to put the structure and process and experts in place, [16:46] and then empower them to make the decisions. At the time of the interviews, it was really fascinating. [16:56] Neither John or Matz at any time talked about titles. They only talked about goals, [17:03] and that's the winning the Stanley Cup. In fact, I don't even think Matz knew what his contract [17:10] title was until he got the contract himself. Would that be fair? Fair. Yeah. So I can tell you [17:19] unequivocally that these two gentlemen are, are totally focused on one thing, and that's bringing [17:28] the Stanley Cup to Toronto. The way that it'll work is, is, is John is the general manager of hockey [17:36] operations, and I think these two will work collaboratively together on everything. Big [17:43] decisions will obviously be collective, but at the end of the day, on a day-to-day business, [17:48] John is the head of, uh, is the general manager of hockey operations, and Matz has a role within [17:54] hockey operations, but it will be something that will completely be collaborative throughout the [18:01] entire process. Anything to add? I think that nails it for me. Chris Johnson. Keith, uh, can you just [18:10] explain why the, the sanctions that Coyotes face and that John faced personally weren't red flags for you [18:15] and his hiring? I, as I, I've, I've already, I've already said I did do deep due diligence. So I've read [18:23] all the reports. I've talked to numerous people. I won't reveal who I've talked to that were close to [18:29] the, uh, uh, to the process. Uh, we've done extensive due diligence, and I'm very comfortable and very [18:38] confident where we landed. Luke Fox. Uh, Luke Fox. For John and Matz, realistically, how far away is this team [18:48] from contending for a Stanley Cup? What season do you think you can get this thing going? [18:52] Do you want to take it? Go ahead. Okay. The way I would think about it, Luke, is, is there's a gap [18:59] right now between, you know, where we are and where we'd like to be. So, you know, I think it's upon us [19:04] to go and collect information and understand that better. I think the, the, you know, optimistic, [19:08] hopeful side is I really do believe that this, uh, this team has a lot of latent upside. I think a lot [19:13] of the players underperformed. I think there's lots of opportunity to, you know, get in there and find ways to, [19:17] you know, do a better job with the internal group. Having said that, I think, you know, [19:21] it's reality that we're going to have to make some changes and we're going to have to fill some holes [19:25] and there's some fundamental ways in which we're gonna have to change the team. Um, and so, you know, [19:29] I think that's what our goal is. I think, you know, every season is sacred to our fans, uh, to our [19:36] players, to our ownership. I think it's incumbent upon us to put the best team on the ice that we can. [19:42] Um, and I, you know, it's going to take a high hit rate. It's going to have to take some [19:46] creativity and we're going to have to have some things go our way, but we certainly feel like [19:49] we're well positioned with a core group. Um, you know, we have some players that are some of the [19:53] best players in the world that wear this sweater. Uh, and it's upon us, Matt and, uh, myself to put [19:59] in place the structure and the principles and give them the resources to go out and accomplish their [20:04] goals. Dave McCarthy, NHL.com. Hey, Matt, this one is for you. I'm on your right here. How you doing? Um, [20:13] you come to this position from a unique position within the franchise, a long time captain up until [20:20] this year, the most prolific goal scorer in the history of the team, uh, well revered amongst the [20:25] fan base. Do you feel that you've put any of that at risk now, depending on the results of your tenure, [20:33] now that you have some say in the direction of this franchise? And if so, why did you want to put [20:39] that at risk? Yeah. Well, I don't think so. Like, I don't worry about the risk to, to start with. [20:45] I think, I think I have knowledge and experience from, from being a player here, being the captain [20:52] here, uh, during an era too, where a couple of times we went to the conference finals. I was lucky [20:59] to play with, uh, when I broke in here with guys like Doug Gilmore, ended up playing with Wendell, [21:05] Darcy. So there's, as I said before, I think, uh, great organizations also learn from the, [21:12] from earlier generations on what's been done well and maybe mistakes that you don't want to repeat. [21:18] So I think with that experience, I hope to contribute at all the levels, like in terms of [21:25] players, coaches, the people in the dressing room, but also with management, right? So [21:30] I don't feel it that way. Um, I feel really fortunate to be able to work for MLSC again, [21:36] and especially for this fan base who I think we all think deserves better, a team that is contending. [21:44] So I, I, I really looking forward to it, uh, to put in the work and try to bring the experience that [21:49] I have and, and help the team. [21:51] Terry Koschan. [21:52] Hi, John. [21:53] Yes. [21:54] Mario. [21:54] Yeah. [21:55] Uh, you talked about changes with the team potential. Uh, what are your plans for coach Craig Berube? [22:00] I talked to, uh, Craig last night. Uh, and look, he's a guy that's a respected leader for [22:06] over decades in national hockey league. Uh, I think he's a tremendous coach, a Stanley cup coach [22:11] on a good person. Uh, we had a good conversation. It was brief. We're gonna get together, uh, later [22:16] this week with mats and, uh, and go through it all. I mean, mats and I are coming in, you know, [22:21] as outsiders, he spent full year and past few years with the team. So we want to, we want to listen [22:26] and learn and, um, you know, understand his, his perspective and then, you know, go forward from [22:31] there. [22:31] Cahal Kelly, Globe and Mail. [22:34] Cahal Kelly, Globe and Mail. For both John and Mats, could both of you describe the process by which [22:39] you were hired? Who called who? How long did it take? Uh, who did you talk to? That sort of thing. [22:44] Yeah, I could start. I, I got called by Neil Glassberg who was running the search. Um, it was, uh, [22:51] both an exhaustive and frankly exhausting process for me a bit. Uh, but at the same time, [22:57] um, you know, went through a series of interviews with different people in different formats, [23:02] everything from, you know, verbal answers to assignments and everything in between. So, um, [23:07] that was my process. [23:10] Yeah. And I have had contact with Keith since probably a year and a half ago, first meeting him [23:14] here in Toronto. And then same as John, extensive, a lot of interviews with different stakeholders, [23:21] not only Keith, but, uh, it's been a good process. Excuse me. I can't, I didn't hear at the beginning. [23:32] Um, well, it was a, yeah, it was a, it was a combination. I, I, I felt for, uh, and watching [23:45] the team for many, many years that there, there's experience and knowledge that I have that could [23:48] help the team, right? So when, when we started the discussion, I think it was a mutual discussion of, [23:54] of, of if I could help or not. Yeah. It didn't take long, uh, in the first conversation that we had [24:01] was a year and a half ago when you launched your book. And, uh, after that, we kept in touch. [24:08] Then we, we got back together a couple of months ago or so started to talk. And there was one day [24:16] that I think we talked for about two hours and you can, you know, you can, uh, you can see, [24:24] you can see and feel, uh, even through a virtual video call with, with Matt's, the passion, [24:31] his love for this city and more importantly, his unwavering desire to finish what he started [24:40] as a player. And that's to win the Stanley cup. And that's what I said. I think it was, it was, [24:46] it was an exhausting process. Uh, but what was the most rewarding was that neither of these gentlemen [24:53] at any time during any of the process talked about structure and titling. They only talked about winning. [25:01] And, and the chemistry that they have is phenomenal. And, and I think we're in for a real treat. [25:09] Matt Larkin. Matt Larkin here from daily face off. This question is for you, [25:14] Matt's over here on your right. Matt's, uh, you made passing reference to the locker room. And [25:21] obviously you have a lot of experience running a dressing room as a long time captain. I'm curious [25:26] for you, do you think the culture of this team needs to change? And what, if anything, [25:31] needs to change specifically about the culture and that can include the locker room? [25:37] Yeah. You know what? I haven't been in there, so it's an impossible question to answer now. I think [25:44] all former players can agree that, you know, everybody talks about a good locker room, [25:49] but they don't really know it until they're in one that is actually a winning one. So I think it's, [25:54] uh, too early to say, but, but if you, I think any team that is winning and having success, uh, [26:03] do have a very strong locker room where there's a buy-in on, on a bigger vision of what we're going [26:08] to do together. Uh, and that's very important, I think. Dan here on the left. Uh, Dan Richo with [26:14] the Nation Network, uh, for John, um, do you feel you have to sell a competitive future on Austin [26:20] Matthews? Like how do you sell a winning future for the captain knowing he's two years away from [26:25] free agency? Yeah, it's a fair question. Yeah. I just start by saying, you know, my experience with [26:30] Austin, uh, in Arizona, I was the general manager there as he was coming up, um, before he was drafted [26:36] even, and just to watch him, you know, live his passion for the game, uh, the quality of player he [26:42] is, uh, the quality person he is. Uh, I was very fortunate to get to know, uh, his dad, Brian, his [26:48] mom, Emma, his sisters, the family, his agent. So you'd get a really good perspective on, on who [26:54] Austin is, uh, and the type of people he surrounds himself with. So he's one of the top goal scorers [27:00] last decade, if not the top goal scorer. He, um, he's a 200 foot centerman, [27:05] plays the game the right way. I just came from an organization where we spent our entire existence [27:10] looking for that exact player. So we're incredibly fortunate to have Austin. And, you know, I think [27:15] I, I, it is, yeah, I agree with the way you termed it. Actually, it is our job to sell him [27:20] on, you know, what we're capable of and reaching the ultimate goal. Cause I know that that's what's [27:24] most important to him. And, uh, you know, how do we do that? It's not a sales job. I'd say it's more of, [27:29] you know, what's the vision, what's the plan and concrete steps that we're going to take to try to get [27:33] the team to where he wants it to be. Uh, and we share that same common goal. [27:38] We'll do three more questions. We'll start with Lance Hornby, Kevin McGrann and Jonas Siegel. [27:45] Uh, for John and Matt's just wondered what your, uh, next couple of weeks looks like and what plans [27:50] you have to talk to as many players as you can in, in coming weeks. [27:55] Yeah, I've already started reaching out to most of the players. Um, and we'll reach out to them in the [27:59] coming days. Uh, again, like I said, I think our players are our partners. And so, you know, [28:03] really getting together with them, uh, and, and learning, um, and hearing their insights. [28:09] I think they always have the best insights, quite honestly, you know, Matt, Matt tonight, [28:12] Keith, we can come up with lots of ideas, but, but hearing it from them, I think is the most [28:16] important part. Uh, like I said, we got together or we're going to get together with, uh, with coach [28:20] Berube. Um, and we're gonna have a very detailed plan. You know, we're trying to catch a moving train [28:25] here. We got scouting meetings coming up in the next week, two weeks, amateur and pro. We've got, uh, [28:30] the combine, uh, followed by the draft and free agency, as you know, the schedule. So, uh, [28:35] really though, the first, uh, order of business is connecting with the players and getting feedback. [28:39] Kevin O'Brien, far right? Uh, Keith, or any of the three of you, uh, heard a lot about [28:45] Ty Domi's involvement in all of this. Uh, can you speak a little bit about how he was sort of [28:51] machinating some of this maybe? Yeah, there, there have been countless, uh, erroneous reports and [28:57] inaccurate information over the past six weeks, you know, including, yeah, that, and we, we just [29:05] didn't want to comment on them. Uh, but, you know, including some that I was using AI during the trade [29:12] deadline and, and, you know, Neil is John's agent. Preposterous, right? All of it. And, and Ty wasn't [29:21] involved in the process whatsoever. It's another erroneous rumor. Final question, Jonas. Why are you not hiring [29:30] a president? Uh, you know, we went through the, uh, the search. We had no preconceived notions, [29:38] uh, on what structure that we were going to actually, uh, move towards. Uh, but once we got [29:44] into, uh, the process, uh, we realized, and as we got deeper into it, that this mix with John and Matt's, [29:54] uh, was one that was going to be formidable. And, uh, and, uh, there's no specific reason for it. [30:00] It was just, this is the structure. It's a different structure, but I think it'll be a winning structure.