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Insider from Chayka’s Coyotes Days Calls New Maple Leafs GM ‘Fraud’
TL;DR
John Gambadoro, a Phoenix insider, criticized the Toronto Maple Leafs' hiring of John Chayka as GM, calling him a 'fraud' and highlighting his controversial past with the Coyotes.
Key points
- John Gambadoro criticized John Chayka's hiring as Maple Leafs GM.
- Chayka allegedly cost the Coyotes draft picks for cheating.
- He left the Coyotes before the NHL bubble.
- Gambadoro accused Chayka of mistreating Shane Doan.
- Chayka's connection to Tie Domi influenced his hiring.
Mentioned in this story
Toronto Maple LeafsArizona CoyotesJohn ChaykaJohn GambadoroShane DoanTie Domi
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Arizona Coyotes are long gone from the desert. But one of the most plugged-in insiders in Phoenix has responded with disbelief that the Toronto Maple Leafs would hire former Coyotes exec John Chayka as their new general manager.
John Gambadoro watched the stunning news conference introducing Chayka in Toronto and posted to X (Twitter) outlining some of the alleged wrongdoings that the league’s youngest GM committed.
This is incredible. Chayka was a total fraud here (in Phoenix). Cost the Coyotes first and second round picks for cheating. Quit on the team right before the bubble. Stabbed Don Maloney in the back to get the gig here. The way he treated (legendary Coyotes player) Shane Doan was despicable – wanted him GONE – would not even consider letting him play one last year on the third line – was just jealous of him. Chayka is a fake. Only his connection to (Leafs alumni Tie) Domi is getting him this job.
Wow.
Chayka was the youngest GM in NHL history when he got the Coyotes job in 2016 at the age of just 26. He was gone four years later, and some of his violations not only cost the Yotes those draft picks, but also got him suspended by commissioner Gary Bettman for a year.
Chayka’s credentials questioned by former Coyotes insider
But Gambadoro didn’t stop there. He went on to list off the brutal drafting record of Chayka while in Arizona. He passed over some elite players while conducting the team’s NHL Draft selections.
And Maple Leafs fans don’t look at his past drafts – While he did draft (Clayton) Keller let’s not forget 2017 when he took Pierre-Oliver Joseph over Jake Oettinger and Jason Roberton OR 2018 when he took Barrett Hayton and passed on Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson. 2019 you ask – we got Victor Sodestrom but could have had , Cole Caulfield, Thomas Hartley, or Shane Pinto….Enjoy him Toronto his drafts were awful!!!!
Q&A
What allegations did John Gambadoro make against John Chayka?
John Gambadoro accused John Chayka of being a 'fraud,' claiming he cost the Coyotes draft picks for cheating and treated legendary player Shane Doan poorly.
Why did John Chayka leave the Arizona Coyotes?
John Chayka quit the Coyotes just before the NHL bubble, which raised questions about his commitment to the team.
What connection does John Chayka have to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
John Chayka's connection to the Maple Leafs is primarily through alumni Tie Domi, which Gambadoro suggests influenced his hiring.
What was the reaction to Chayka's hiring as Maple Leafs GM?
The reaction was one of disbelief, particularly from insiders like Gambadoro, who highlighted Chayka's controversial history.