Some candidates have been in the mix from the start, others are names fans might not be familiar with, but the Leafs must get it right.<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 20, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0hour ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n A mix of the NHL old guard and rising stars have begun separating from the wide field coveting the Maple Leafs top hockey job.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n They\u2019re\u00a0five\u00a0names that keep coming\u00a0up\u00a0in league chatter and\u00a0who\u2019ve\u00a0been reported to have been\u00a0seen by\u00a0MLSE\u00a0CEO Keith Pelley, via\u00a0Neil Glasberg\u2019s Coaches\u00a0Agency\u00a0search firm.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The desire of all involved is to settle this hiring before the end of April, perhaps by the end of this week, rather than Pelley\u2019s rough target of late May. That makes sense with other NHL teams trying to fill executive holes and wanting to know who\u2019s available. The jury is still out whether the Leafs will end up with a separate president of hockey operations and a general manager or a dual role.<\/p>\n Those who bear watching:<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play VideoMike Gillis<\/p>\n GM of the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> from 2008-14, an alternately successful and strained tenure. Gillis has not been involved with any team since. That makes his inclusion a bit mystifying, but he has kept tabs on the game, as a consultant with the players\u2019 association\u2019s business development interests.<\/p>\n By the end of his time in Vancouver, Gillis was feuding with owner Francesco Aquilini. It would be a different scenario here, trying to please both Pelley and the high fiscal expectations of uber-bosses at Rogers Communications.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Mats Sundin being in town for a chat with Pelley for another role could be a sign in Gillis\u2019 favour. Gillis talked Sundin into signing with Vancouver in 2009 after his Leafs career ended, though Gillis was not mentioned in Sundin\u2019s recent book.<\/p>\n Ryan Martin<\/p>\n The GM of the AHL\u2019s Hartford Wolf Pack and assistant GM of the New York Rangers put the \u2018big\u2019 in the Big Apple\u2019s farm team.<\/p>\n An American from Connecticut, he has an economics and law degree and helped the early 2000s Detroit Red Wings as director of hockey administration. That was his ticket into minor-league development with the Wings while helping scout for Team USA\u2019s world junior program, then did the same jobs for the Rangers.<\/p>\n He also has interviewed with the Nashville Predators.<\/p>\n John Chayka<\/p>\n He was on a good trajectory as the youngest GM in NHL history when the Arizona Coyotes were making noise five or so years ago. Chayka was ranked with Sunny Mehta as the most data-friendly candidates in keeping with Pelley\u2019s preference, before Mehta signed with New Jersey<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n But the Yotes are now in Utah and Chayka\u2019s analytics magic lost its attraction when his job irregularities, including unauthorized testing of potential draft picks, cost the team two high selections.<\/p>\n He also was allegedly listening to offers while still under contract to Arizona, all which forced him out, where he has stayed on the periphery.<\/p>\n Scott White<\/p>\n The Leafs just played White\u2019s Dallas Stars last week, where he\u2019s their director of hockey operations.<\/p>\n The Quebec-born former collegiate defenceman and long-time minor leaguer has been wooed before, but stayed on Jim Nill\u2019s highly regarded staff where duties include managing the Texas Stars farm team. He\u2019s also getting consideration in Nashville and Vancouver for its exec positions.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Six pending free agents in the Stanley Cup playoffs who could interest Maple Leafs<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0421-john-chayka-arizona-coyotes.jpg\")
Former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka speaks during a press conference in 2019. Postmedia Network filesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.0.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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