2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office

[Zee]

Been an annual Sportsnet stream subscriber since the 21/22 season. Finally didn't renew even though I had a small window to get in before this year's price increase. Using alternative methods now.

Honestly the media stuff has gotten out of control. Dozens of different streaming services, crazy priced packages for cable and not getting all channels, who the hell can afford it? My sister out in BC told me her internet/tv bill is like 200/month, wtf? I switched to IPTV YEARS ago and have never looked back.

 

[AtomicMapleLeaf2]

Honestly the media stuff has gotten out of control. Dozens of different streaming services, crazy priced packages for cable and not getting all channels, who the hell can afford it? My sister out in BC told me her internet/tv bill is like 200/month, wtf? I switched to IPTV YEARS ago and have never looked back.

I live in New Mexico, and also went to IPTV years ago. Rarely miss any Jays/Leafs games (watching Sportsnet now). I have a set top box. So I pay nothing

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098505625382600757

At least he’s able to be up and about (and get engaged).

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098839818528543198

PTO expected for an older RD version of Emil Andrae

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098839818528543198

PTO expected for an older RD version of Emil Andrae

Nice. I've liked Blankenburg for a couple seasons now. I noticed he was still a free agent about a week ago and wondered about him here, but figured there wouldn't be a good fit with Andrea and Stecher already aboard. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099167166016749661

Dude, this snake oil is delicious

Full article: https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/real-obligation-leafs-gm-john-160337554.html

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099194231965298801

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099457284967432328

For Bender and other twitter-boycotters: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/75...unlocked_article_code=1.BFE.XnO9.-11fJkRbfHeN

I figured this was happening, and now they have a GM that understands language of data crunching and agentic solutions

Perhaps most interesting, in the wake of last season’s dysfunction, is the substantive change in an analytics department that will now be fully aligned with MLSE Labs, a division overseen by Humza Teherany, MLSE’s chief strategy and innovation officer. It’s precisely the kind of alignment Pelley sought in the aftermath of Treliving’s sudden firing last spring.

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099457284967432328

For Bender and other twitter-boycotters: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/75...unlocked_article_code=1.BFE.XnO9.-11fJkRbfHeN

I figured this was happening, and now they have a GM that understands language of data crunching and agentic solutions

I gotta give him credit that he's not being openly hostile to the fans and the media. We are fans because we love the team and the media covers the team because we love the team and they are all paid the way they are because we love the team. I give him and Mats a ton of kudos for repeatedly saying it's an honor and a privilege to do right by the fanbase, and hopefully by extension that means most of the players understand that fans and media are not the enemy. It can be annoying to answer questions, I get that, but we're not trying to be adversarial. We're on the same team so to speak.

And since I'm already on a rant.... It's time for a lot of these players to put their big boy pants on and realize the NHL exists in its current iteration only because there is a group of die hard fans like the type in Toronto willing to spend energy and money on their team year in year out, because without them they wouldn't even be able to play for these single reporter down market teams without scrutiny.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099558901876166719

Official

 

[YYZ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099558901876166719

Official

What's the status on Tanev? One of the articles the other day said he still wasn't cleared to play?


edit: Seems like more of a formality than anything.

 

[herman]

What's the status on Tanev? One of the articles the other day said he still wasn't cleared to play?


edit: Seems like more of a formality than anything.

Medicals next Wednesday will probably establish expectations there.

 

[herman]

In light of the pre-camp look at the new look Front Office, I wanted to find out more about VP of R&D Brad Rossen and found this Craig Morgan article from 2019, with a peek into what Chayka’s operations looked like on a shoestring budget (gift link) which said nothing about Rossen but did share Chayka’s emphasis on collaborative data-driven decision making and (now Marlies head coach) Steve Sullivan’s perspective.

An inside look: Coyotes draft process relies on collaborative approach

Analyzing players from multiple perspectives is at the core of the Coyotes' draft process.

www.nytimes.com

 

[herman]

Propaganda!

MLHS transcript

 

[herman]

Death. Taxes. John Tavares calling dibs on housing a rookie. William Nylander indoctrinating a young Swedish defenseman into Sugo and adopting him into his family (welcome back, Rasmus Sandin!).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099855632740356546

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099930250830340300

Sundin, via NHL.com

This propaganda is getting to me (positively)

This is also the sort of coordinated 'offensive' that the front office neglected to do in the media when dealing with the Marner camp.

 

[herman]

Knies on his knee, and the lack of TV during his stay with JT.

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2099930250830340300

Sundin, via NHL.com

This propaganda is getting to me

This is also the sort of coordinated 'offensive' that the front office neglected to do in the media when dealing with the Marner camp.

I don't consider this propaganda at all, I think he's right. There's a level of pride that comes with being part of a storied franchise and some of that history really is sacred for this city.

 

[YYZ]

My favourite Kool-Aid is blue and white.

 

[herman]

I don't consider this propaganda at all, I think he's right. There's a level of pride that comes with being part of a storied franchise and some of that history really is sacred for this city.

Tongue in cheek (mostly) but these are all absolutely state-issued tone setting statements to prime us to feel a certain way. Propaganda, by definition, does not have to be false.

On the surface Sundin appears he’s being used as a prop, but he’s a true believer who has actually lived it. He saw in the last few years something was broken.

The Toronto fanbase and organization needed healing after being berated and bullied by Marner’s messaging (and his subsequent success) in the midst of organizational implosion.

Sundin is now purposefully working to make sure all players coming into the fold appreciate the privilege and passion that comes with donning the blue and white.

 

[YYZ]

Tongue in cheek (mostly) but these are all absolutely state-issued tone setting statements to prime us to feel a certain way. Propaganda, by definition, does not have to be false.

On the surface Sundin appears he’s being used as a prop, but he’s a true believer who has actually lived it. He saw in the last few years something was broken.

The Toronto fanbase and organization needed healing after being berated and bullied by Marner’s messaging (and his subsequent success) in the midst of organizational implosion.

Sundin is now purposefully working to make sure all players coming into the fold appreciate the privilege and passion that comes with donning the blue and white.

This is an almost $5 billion dollar NHL franchise that at times has descended into complete clown shoes. Obviously on ice performance has been an issue but also the finer details like their social media presence has been a joke too. Interviews with players on their YouTube channel with audio you couldn't even hear. The internet has been a thing for over 25 years and they were still garbage at it. The new videos they are releasing, you can actually here the questions and the answers.

The PR guy got fired so the new person(s) must be on top of things.

The closest this team has come to winning a cup in the last (checks notes.....) 59 years was when Sundin was captain of this team. He refused to be traded, and was all dewy eyed on the bench/ice during his tribute video when he came back as a Canuck.

If anything, at least it is genuine when he speaks. He loved playing in Toronto, loved being a Maple Leaf. He embraced the challenge of being captain in this insane market and never once that I can remember complained about anything. He was and is a true professional and is why he is my favourite Leaf of all time.