John Chayka has only been on the job as Maple Leafs general manager for a few months, and he’s already making the kind of moves that get people talking. The latest one involves one of the most decorated players in hockey history.
Hayley Wickenheiser confirmed on Instagram on Thursday that she was let go from her role as assistant general manager of player development. That news came straight from her, not the team. She posted that she’d had multiple conversations with Chayka about her future with the organization and initially thought she’d be staying on with new responsibilities. Then things shifted. And she’s out.
Wickenheiser is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a Hockey Hall of Famer. In Canada she’s basically royalty. She joined the Leafs front office in 2022 after a legendary playing career and became a key voice in player development. Her departure is a big deal, not just because of who she is but because of what it says about Chayka’s vision for the franchise.
Chayka’s Offseason Overhaul Continues
This isn’t the first big change Chayka has made since taking over. He fired head coach Craig Berube and replaced him with Jim Hiller, who previously struggled as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. That hire raised eyebrows around the league. Hiller’s tenure with the Kings didn’t go well, and it’s not obvious what makes him the right guy to fix a team that just had a brutal 2025-26 season.
Chayka also got lucky in the draft lottery. The Leafs landed the No. 1 overall pick and used it on Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, a highly touted forward who’ll slot in alongside Auston Matthews. That selection was widely expected once Toronto won the lottery. The hope is that McKenna can help turn this thing around fast.
Wickenheiser’s Role and What’s Next
Wickenheiser’s exact role with the Leafs had been somewhat unclear in recent months. She was listed as assistant GM of player development, but her actual day-to-day involvement seemed to fluctuate. She said in her Instagram post that she and Chayka had discussed new responsibilities and she believed there was a path forward. But as the days went on, she realized management had a different plan. So now she’s gone.
The Leafs haven’t commented on her departure yet. It’s possible more changes are coming. The franchise is coming off a season that fell well short of expectations. Fans are restless. And Chayka seems determined to put his own stamp on this roster and front office, even if that means parting ways with a hockey legend.
Wickenheiser didn’t say what she’ll do next. But she’s still relatively young, she’s smart, and she’s got a resume that opens doors. Don’t be surprised if another team in the league gives her a call.
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