Maple Leafs' New Hockey Boss Decision Depends on One Major Factor

The Toronto Maple Leafs' front office search continues. We've heard rumors that there are two frontrunners, and that a decision could be coming soon. But one thing has to happen first before a new head of hockey operations and/or general manager is named.

Insider Elliotte Friedman explains, on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday:

I think what we’re kind of awaiting to see how this is all going to work, is Mats Sundin’s decision... on how involved he's willing to be.
I have wondered if he's been contemplating a larger role than has been hinted or reported, and I still believe that's true and I think everyone's hoping to get an idea this week of where he's leaning and what he's considering.
Once we know where Sundin falls on this, we'll have a truer, clearer picture of what the Maple Leafs front office is going to look like.

Sundin, the Maple Leafs' legend, had flown in from Sweden to discuss some kind of role in the team's new hockey front office, but it wasn't thought to be of the GM-type variety. More of an advisor role, was the thinking. But maybe there's more to this... Perhaps much more.

“It's starting to feel like we’re talking about something more significant than ‘ex-player coming in and learning as he goes along’... It’s a lot to ask.”@RealKyper, @jtbourne and @SamAMcKee react to reports surrounding Mats Sundin’s standing in the Maple Leafs GM search. pic.twitter.com/rPU4OkhG4N
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) April 27, 2026

“It's starting to feel like we’re talking about something more significant than ‘ex-player coming in and learning as he goes along’," said Nick Kypreos on the Real Kyper & Bourne show on Monday.

It's sounding like a lot more than a mere 'brand ambassador.' "No, this is something much deeper than that," continued Kyper.

"I don't get the feeling that Sundin would come here and (work) under (GM candidates) John Chayka or Scott White."

Sundin, now 55, spent 13 years with the Maple Leafs, and was a 10-time 30-goal scorer, averaging just over a point per game across 981 games. He's still the all-time franchise leader in regular-season points (987), regular-season power-play goals (124) and regular-season game-winning goals (79).