In one of his first appearances before the Toronto media since becoming general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Chayka addressed several key questions surrounding the franchise's direction.
During his appearance on TSN's OverDrive. Chayka discussed the Maple Leafs' lottery win, the team's path back to Stanley Cup contention next season, and speculation surrounding the future of captain Auston Matthews.
Chayka Addresses Report About Auston Matthews' Future
The first in a series of intriguing questions put forth by hosts Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLellan, and Jeff O'Neil was about the Maple Leafs good fortune of winning the NHL Draft Lottery and the right to pick first in next month's draft.
McLellan asked Chayka, "Does that (winning the lottery) potentially change your plan or just give you more options?"
The Leafs GM explained that draft plans were only beginning and that the team's management was going through the process of planning for many different outcomes, from winning to the possibility of losing their draft pick.
Chayka mentioned the "process" and relying on the scouts' work for gathering intel about potential prospects for the top pick. He said it would be an "organization pick," but, in the end, it would fall on his record. He stressed empowering those within the organization to do their job.
Hayes questioned Chayka about the report from The Athletic that Matthews is unsure if he will return to the Maple Leafs next year. The Leafs' GM responded, "That's not my understanding."
Chayka pointed out that Matthews has invested his entire career to being a Toronto Maple Leaf and the importance of the team's captain feeling a "connectivity" to the alignment set out by the front office.
The Maple Leafs new GM said he would get together with Matthews and share notes. He also stated he understands the perspective that players have only so many years (in their career) and that "it goes by quick."
Chayka stated he had no problem having conversations with Matthews, "sharing our thoughts, learning to see if there is a shared, common vision in charting a path forward."
"I have no problem having those conversations, sharing our thoughts, learning to see if there is a shared, common vision in charting a path forward."John Chayka on Auston Matthews
One of the final questions posed to Chayka came from O'Neill, who wondered how quickly the Leafs can turn it around and return to contention.
Chayka replied, "This isn't something where we're building a team for one season." He acknowledged, "As we sit here today (in May), we're not the contending club that we'd like to be." The Maple Leafs' GM mentioned that the team's "world-class players deserve our best effort to put the best team on the ice. It's more about what we look like entering the season."
Chayka revealed earlier in the interview that team owner Edward Rogers delivered a direct mandate to "do whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup," a challenge the new general manager said he takes seriously.
The first major step toward accomplishing that goal comes with making the right decision at the upcoming NHL Draft, while also convincing Matthews that his vision can finally help the Maple Leafs become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
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