Maple Leafs have made their choice.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their choice.

Although there have been rumors circulating for weeks that two names in particular were being heavily considered by the Maple Leafs organization, those of former Maple Leafs star forward Matts Sundin and former Phoenix Coyotes general manager John Chayka, it is now official.

Toronto columnist Steve Simmons reports that the decision has been finalized and that the Maple Leafs will make it official during a press conference on Monday. Simmons did not provide any details regarding which role each man would take on moving forward, stating only that they would both be executives in leadership roles at the head of the organization.

The news is likely going to receive a mixed reaction with Sundin a beloved legend in Toronto, albeit one with no management experience to speak of. Sundin has served as a consultant for Sweden at the 2013 and 2016 World Cup of Hockey but those are both a far cry from leading a team in the National Hockey League.

Chayka on the other hand ended his first tenure as an NHL general manager under a great deal of controversy. In 2021 Chayka was suspended by the NHL after a dispute with the Coyotes led to his departure from the roll, a dispute that would eventually result in the NHL suspending Chayka for his actions during his time with the team.

The NHL condemned Chayka's actions at the time:

"Chayka engaged in conduct detrimental to the league, breached his obligation to the club, and was properly terminated by the club," wrote the NHL in a memo.

Chayka was reportedly pursuing opportunities with other teams while still under contract with the Coyotes, a matter that came under further scrutiny following a serious Scouting Combine controversy involving the Coyotes while Chayka was at the helm.

The Coyotes acknowledged that they had violated the league's combine policy during the 2019-20 season, when Chayka was at the helm as general manager, which resulted in the team having to forfeit both a first and a second round pick as a result.

That was of course many years ago and Chayka is no doubt eager for a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of many around the NHL. Whether or not that will prove to be the right decision for the Maple Leafs remains to be seen.