Photo credit: Arizona Coyotes (left); Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports (right)
With the bombshell that the Maple Leafs are hiring Mats Sundin and John Chayka, it’s odd that only one name came out with the news while no one else has made a peep.
It puts an end to a saga that started even before Brad Treliving was fired, and with a lot of changes expected and a desire to renew the passion that was once at a fever-pitch; there’s a lot to be excited about going forward.
With Sundin focused on changing the culture and bringing pride back, and Chayka going to be the numbers guru, you have to hand it to Keith Pelley for actually following through with hiring the guys he wanted to.
But there’s really something odd about the whole thing.
Simmons is credible but the silence from Friedman, Johnston and Dreger on a hire this big is hard to explain
Not that there’s any doubt that Sundin and Chayka are going to be partners in Toronto, every report has indicated as such. However, it’s the fact that only one person has officially made the announcement.
None of them really mentioned anything about a hiring, and if anyone would have the insider info on the situation it’s a guy like Mirtle and especially Friedman.
It’s hard to take this news with anything but a few grains of salt considering that while the Maple Leafs are notoriously quiet about things — the amount of info leaked shows they might not actually care that much.
Simmons could be throwing us a red herring, though at the end of the day it’s unlikely he’s going to be eating crow.
If this is a legitimate hire, Monday’s press conference has to come with answers not just hope
So Sundin and Chayka are coming in, that’s great news. But it’s not a popularity contest.
Sundin and Chayka have to come in and immediately start explaining their goals and plan for fixing the team. Being honest about the changes needed; that being the defence, coaching, bad contracts — whatever they have plans for need to be given hastily.
He has to be up front and say he messed up, learned from his mistakes, and is ready to do what he can to help Toronto (legally).
We also need Keith Pelley to actually tell us what their roles and power dynamic actually is. Will Sundin be VP but need to answer to Pelley? Is it truly going to be ‘hands-off’ this time?
The Maple Leafs have heard this story before, and it was not too long ago before we had Brad Treliving sitting down to speak to the media about his plans for the team alongside Craig Berube. The honeymoon phase was great, but it came crashing back to reality very soon after.
Monday has to deliver something tangible, not just the same ol’ lip service.
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Something does not feel right about the Maple Leafs hiring of Sundin and Chayka
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