Rumor: Tie Domi is pulling the strings in Leafs' GM search

We're just days away from the NHL's annual Draft Lottery and the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team hoping to move up in the draft as a result of the lottery, are still without a General Manager.

Of course, there have been rumors that the Leafs are looking at franchise legends Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and Tie Domi for their front office, but none of these gentlemen have GM experience. What's interesting though is that the Leafs have been linked to former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka.

Chayka hasn't worked in the NHL since 2021 after he was suspended by Commissioner Gary Bettman for "conduct detrimental to the league and game". The NHL ruled that Chayka had "breached his obligation to the Coyotes" by pursuing opportunities with other clubs while still under contract with the Arizona Coyotes. In particular, it was speculated that he campaigned for a job with the New Jersey Devils will still under contract with the Coyotes.

Incidentally, it appears that the man responsible for bringing Chayka to the Leafs' attention is, indeed, Tie Domi.

From Leafs insider Steve Simmons:

Does... does this mean that Tie Domi is the guy pulling the strings in Toronto?

As much as I loved Tie on the ice... I'm not sure this is the guy you want running a multi-billion dollar NHL franchise.