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(Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sparked controversy with their hiring of former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka as their next GM, officially replacing Brad Treliving, who was fired in late March from his position after three years.

Treliving had replaced Kyle Dubas in 2023, who went on to become the next general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Upon his hiring with the Coyotes in 2016, Chayka became the youngest GM in NHL history, and brought an intriguing, analytical approach. hake things up with analytics. But he stunned fans by announcing his departure from the organization right before the team went to the playoff bubble, and not long afterward, the Coyotes ran afoul with the league over draft testing violations.

Now, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman is voicing his thoughts on the hire that has nearly everyone in the hockey world talking.

Elliotte Friedman Discusses John Chayka’s Hiring By The Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman recently joined the NHL Network and shared his thoughts on the hiring of Chayka by the Maple Leafs, especially the controversial exchange between Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons and Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley during the introductory press conference on Monday.

“My reaction is, ‘That’s life in the big city, man,'” Friedman said. “Like, this is the Toronto Maple LEafs, it’s the biggest show in town. And that’s going to happen to you sometimes. I really – you know, I really feel that if you can’ handle a question, you can’t handle being the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even if the question is harsh or phrased in that way.”

Friedman noted that he spoke with several people about their reactions to the awkward portion of the presser, and said that regardless of how they felt of it, high profile figures for a team like the Maple Leafs in a hockey market like Toronto should have been prepared to face those difficult and even very uncomfortable questions.

“To me, that’s all irrelevant,” he said. “To me, it’s all about if you can’t handle a tough question, you can’t be the general manager of an NHL team. And that’s life in the big city for me.”

John Chayka Appears To Endorse Craig Berube As Maple Leafs Coach

Because the Maple Leafs missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, there was rampant speculation about the job security of head coach Craig Berube.

But as he fielded questions from media members, Chayka appeared to give his initial endorsement to Berube.

“I think Craig is a great coach,” Chayka said. “I am not sure players tuned him out. I know it was a hard year. But he is a Stanley Cup coach for a reason, too.”

He continued:

“We are going to get together and spend time together. I’ll listen. He went through a season. I want to hear the ups and downs, what he tried, what worked, what didn’t work, and his thoughts on the roster.”

The John Chayka era with the Toronto Maple Leafs is now officially underway.