John Chayka admitted making mistakes on day one and no Leafs GM has ever started with that kind of honesty
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs - Youtube
While he refused to give details, John Chayka admitted he made mistakes as Coyotes GM and while it does raise concerns, the honesty is actually quite refreshing.
During Monday's press conference to introduce Mats Sundin and John Chayka to the Toronto media, it was a bit of a testy affair after Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons targeted Keith Pelley's hiring process and how others around the league felt it was a 'sham' hiring.
It caught everyone off guard and set the tone for the rest of the presser, and while it was the question we all wanted answered; we got nothing of the sort.
Chayka immediately skirts the biggest question facing his appointment to the Maple Leafs
We also got nothing regarding the previous history of Chayka as part of the Coyotesorganization and what led to his resignation in 2020. When asked about the draft combine incident as well as the circumstances leading to his departure, Chayka decided to skirt the question entirely with a pretty generic response:
That experience shaped me, and required creativity, discipline, and resilience. I made decisions I am proud of and also mistakes I’ve learned from.
I'm human. But I am better because of it. I will say the game evolved since my time with the Coyotes, I realize this is a positive. I wasn't off the grid. I followed the game closely.
And the role of process, data and integrated decision making are no longer an idea, they are essential to how elite NHL organizations are run today. That alignment between where the game stands today and how I believe in building the team is what makes this so exciting.
I'm human. But I am better because of it. I will say the game evolved since my time with the Coyotes, I realize this is a positive. I wasn't off the grid. I followed the game closely.
And the role of process, data and integrated decision making are no longer an idea, they are essential to how elite NHL organizations are run today. That alignment between where the game stands today and how I believe in building the team is what makes this so exciting.
So, I'd like you to find the answer to the question in that statement. I'll wait.
Did Chayka learn not to go after other positions while still employed? Did he suddenly learn how to deal with adversity instead of vanishing like a magician? It doesn't matter if he followed the game closely, his past is following him just as much.
He got nailed for illegal draft procedures which cost his team draft picks, he resigned on the eve of the playoffs, and was reportedly looking for other work without the consent of the Coyotes upper management.
With absolutely no transparency, it set the worst possible example from the brand new GM, with Leafs Morning Take co-host Nick Alberga stating the obvious on social media:
The honesty is refreshing though for Maple Leafs fans
Say what you will about Chayka not giving details about his past, the fact he admitted his faults and came forward shows a lot more transparency than we have seen from Toronto in the past. He mentioned his humanity, and while an excuse for some — it's fact.
We all make mistakes, and when facing immense pressure to succeed you may make some less than desirable choices.
I didn't hear Brad Treliving come forward and say he failed as a GM in Calgary by trading away several superstars, and though he tried to take some blame for this year's failures; he still did nothing to improve the team or make amends.
The response from Chayka was generic which is something fans won't necessarily appreciate but it's at least a statement. Anyone can do a quick search and find what led to his departure and the consequences of his action, but you can't change the past.
No amount of dwelling on his failures can fix them, so why not see if he's willing to repent for his mistakes and do things the right way this time? Likely he understands this is last chance to make a statement, and doing things properly but still succeeding will change perception quickly.
It's the first day he was brought into the Toronto ether and faced immediate scrutiny. How about we let him actually make some moves before judging him?
Chayka gave us honesty, the least we can do is give him a chance.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The first moves of the Chayka era involve Craig Berube and Shane Doan and neither went the way fans expected
The first moves of the Chayka era involve Craig Berube and Shane Doan and neither went the way fans expected
Previously on Hockey Patrol