It appears that the Toronto Maple Leafs are continuing their overhaul throughout the summer. Toronto parted ways with assistant general manager Darryl Metcalf,
Vick Polatian of The Leafs Nation reports. Metcalf was responsible for hockey research and development, with an analytically-minded approach to the game.
Metcalf’s departure has yet to be announced by the Maple Leafs. He joined the Maple Leafs as an analyst for the 2014-15 season, was promoted to director of hockey research and development for the 2017-18 campaign, then was promoted to assistant general manager for the 2022-23 season. Although Metcalf is highly regarded across the NHL, it’s likely that Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka viewed Metcalf as redundant. Chayka is a graduate of the Ivey Business School at Western University, and is widely known for his analytic-centric approach to his governing philosophy.
Toronto is likely overhauling its entire analytics department, with more changes to come, via Polatian and The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
There’s been an aggressive overhaul from every level of the organization. After an exhaustive search led by MLSE CEO Keith Pelley, Chayka was appointed as general manager, while franchise legend Mats Sundin returned home as senior executive advisor to hockey operations. Toronto fired head coach Craig Berube and replaced him with
Jim Hiller. Hiller then rounded out his staff by adding
Daniel Alfredsson as his associate coach, John Gruden was promoted from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, while Brad Werenka is an assistant coach.
Steve Sullian was hired as the Marlies’ next head coach on Thursday, replacing Gruden. Gruden led the Marlies to a Calder Cup championship, and will be an asset on a Maple Leafs team that is incorporating younger players into a veteran-laden squad. Sullivan primarily oversaw the Maple Leafs’ power play, replacing Derek Lalonde, who was fired in December. Mark Giordano will join Sullivan’s staff as an assistant coach. Sullivan becomes the ninth head coach in Marlies’ history.
