Maple Leafs’ Wide Net of Coaching Candidates Includes David Carle

Any Toronto Maple Leafs fans hoping to get some semblance of an idea about the future of their team behind the bench may have to wait a little longer. With the thoughtful John Chayka now in charge of the team, it looks like he is going to cast a wide net when searching for head coaching candidates for the Maple Leafs.

It seems like Chayka is going to leave no stone unturned when trying to find the next coach, according to Elliotte Friedman via the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. While some fans hope it will be Bruce Cassidy, it seems more likely that Toronto goes with a fresher face, which is why Friedman mentioned University of Denver Head Coach David Carle as a potential name.

Carle has been reluctant to take a job in the NHL, given his cushy status with the University of Denver. However, when one of the league’s most prestigious organizations comes calling, it’d be hard for him not to have at least a conversation, which Friedman alleges is what’s happening right now. The initial conversations may not come to fruition for Toronto. Still, the NCAA may not seem as luxurious with the dollar amounts that the Maple Leafs organization is willing to throw around.

The pocket books of the Maple Leafs might be even fuller if Craig Berube and the Edmonton Oilers end up reaching an agreement for him to be their next head coach. Toronto is currently on the hook to pay the remainder of Berube’s salary over the next two seasons, but that cost will be gone if the Oilers choose him as their new head coach.

If Carle doesn’t work out, some other options for the Maple Leafs could be Jay Woodcroft, Manny Malhotra, or Cassidy if the Vegas Golden Knights ever decide to allow him to pursue another job. Another name to keep an eye on is Kris Knoblauch, who lost his job in Edmonton but has to get some credit for reaching the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons.

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