Maple Leafs Fans Are Starting to Believe in John Chayka
The Toronto Maple Leafs ranked 24th in the NHL in front-office confidence last year, but they have moved up to 21st this season. That isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but it does suggest something has changed around the organization. After a disappointing season, the biggest source of optimism in Toronto may simply be that Brad Treliving is no longer running the show.
John Chayka hasn't proved that he can turn the Maple Leafs into a contender yet, and his track record in Arizona certainly wasn't flawless. But unlike Treliving, Chayka has been willing to make significant changes rather than simply rearrange the same pieces.
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Chayka Moved Quickly and Decisively for Raddysh.
Bringing in Emil Andrae and moving on from Simon Benoit also suggest that Chayka is trying to change how the blue line is built. The move for Darren Raddysh is probably the clearest example. The price looked high when the deal was made, but after seeing what other defensemen have been paid, an AAV in the Jacob Trouba range doesn't look nearly as unreasonable. If Raddysh can provide the puck movement and offensive production he showed last season, he could address one of Toronto's biggest weaknesses.
Bringing in Emil Andrae and moving on from Simon Benoit also suggest Chayka is trying to change how the blue line is built. These are two very different kinds of defencemen. Just as important, most of the new contracts are relatively short. Chayka is taking some chances, but he isn't loading the roster with long-term commitments that could become problems later.
There Are Some Concerns About Chayka’s Choices, but Optimism Is Growing in Toronto.
The concerns are mostly up front. Colton Sissons looks expensive, and the Sergei Bobrovsky signing is another gamble after his difficult season. Those moves could eventually make Chayka's offseason look much less impressive. Still, there is probably more to like than dislike so far.
The real test is whether Chayka has actually built a better hockey team or simply a different one. For a fan base that has spent the past few seasons wondering where the organization was going, though, having a plan — even one that still needs to be proven — is a pretty good place to start.