Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka often speaks like an options trader, rather than a conventional sports executive, which partially explains why some were reticent to embrace his appointment. Chayka operates with the optimization concepts of flexibility and optionality in mind with every decision he makes. Ahead of free agency, Chayka made a number…

The Toronto Maple Leafs have injected new life into their organization this summer. Within days of John Chayka and Mats Sundin taking roles in the front office, they won the draft lottery, which allowed them the right to select Gavin McKenna first overall. They then followed it by executing a flurry of moves including a…