Insider Hearing That Mike Gillis is OUT For Maple Leafs

There's so much speculation (and misdirection) going on in the Toronto Maple Leafs ongoing search for a new hockey executive, that some rumors might sound hard to believe. But then again, anything can happen in this... unconventional GM search.

Insider Nick Kypreos reported today on the Real Kyper & Bourne show on Sportsnet 590 that the long-held belief that Mike Gillis is a frontrunner to be the new Toronto hockey boss might be all wrong. In fact, he might be out altogether.

🗣️ @RealKyper on the Leafs GM search:

“I do hear more John Chayka than I do Mike Gillis right now. Someone, and it is unconfirmed, told me Gillis is out.

Whatever the case is, either they’ve got him (Gillis) tucked away somewhere and will present him when they’re ready, or he’s… pic.twitter.com/1neMzcUTEn
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) April 23, 2026

“I do hear more John Chayka than I do Mike Gillis right now," said Kypreos. "And I will even tell you that someone, and it is unconfirmed, says that maybe Gillis is out."

This would be a surprise, considering that not only was Gillis considered the leading candidate, but we also heard on Wednesday that the Leafs were talking to Gillis back before they had even fired GM Brad Treliving.

Keith Pelley and Mike Gillis reportedly had discussions prior to Brad Treliving’s firing

📸: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Read More Here 💻 | https://t.co/2vVl8bgzVu pic.twitter.com/MdwTT8x5aa
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) April 22, 2026

Why would Mike Gillis be out of Leafs' executive search?

There are a number of scenarios that Kyper floats that could have led to Gillis being out of the running, if true:

a) The Leafs cooled off on him;

b) Gillis cooled off on the Leafs;

c) The two sides couldn't come to terms;

d) Or Mike "wasn't comfortable with the vision."

"Whatever the case is," continued Kypreos, either they’ve got him (Gillis) tucked away somewhere and will present him when they’re ready, or he’s out, he’s no longer a candidate.”

Meanwhile, Chayka seems to be a name that's gaining traction, as Kyper noted. The 36-year-old became the youngest GM in league history when he was named to the job by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. He was only 26 at the time.

He is 'data-centric', which, of course, is what MLSE CEO Keith Pelley said he was looking for. Chayka founded a hockey data and analytics company. He's been mostly out of hockey for the past few years, and has been running fast food chain franchises.