NHL Trade Talk Recap: Ducks, Oilers & Maple Leafs Want Carle?

This edition (May 18, 2026) of NHL Trade Talk Recap includes three quick recaps of some of the offseason moves that are heating up across the NHL. The Maple Leafs are casting a wide net for a new head coach. The Ducks are juggling whether to re-sign veteran John Carlson. And the Oilers are in full shake-up mode after dumping Kris Knoblauch. Now there are wild ideas floating about who should run the team. Each situation could reshape a franchise’s short-term fate and long-term identity, and all three will be must-watch storylines this summer.

Maple Leafs Are Casting a Wide Net for Their Next Coach

John Chayka’s taking his time and plans to interview more than a couple of potential coaches. So Maple Leafs fans hoping for quick answers might have to wait. Elliotte Friedman says Toronto is talking to a mix of big-name and fresh faces. Bruce Cassidy’s on some wish lists, but David Carle from Denver is reportedly getting a look. Carle might actually consider the jump if the Maple Leafs make a serious pitch and meet his needs.

Money and timing could shake things up, too: Toronto could free up some money if Craig Berube lands in Edmonton. Other candidates, like Jay Woodcroft, Manny Malhotra, Kris Knoblauch, or Bruce Cassidy (if Vegas allows it), are in the mix. Chayka’s not rushing things. He plans to conduct a thorough search, and there could even be a surprise hire.

Maple Leafs’ Wide Net of Coaching Candidates Includes David Carle

Ducks Wait on John Carlson — Stay or Test the Market?

John Carlson loved his time in Anaheim and was a game-changer after the trade, racking up 14 points in 16 regular-season games and six playoff assists. Still, he’s not committing yet. There are no offers on the table yet, and family factors will play a big role. At 36, he’s still effective, but term and money are major questions, and he might want to test free agency on July 1.

That leaves the Ducks in a tricky spot. They’ve got cap space and momentum from their first playoff series win in nine years, but GM Pat Verbeek will have to decide whether to chase Carlson at a premium or use that flexibility elsewhere. Carlson fits their blue line perfectly, but if he walks, other teams could swoop in. So the Ducks will need a clear plan fast.

Big-Name UFA Unwilling to Commit to Ducks in 2026-27

Shakeup City in Edmonton — New GM Who?

Looks like the Oilers’ offseason is about to get messy. They canned Kris Knoblauch before his extension even started, so now it’s hire-a-coach time. It’s probably also roster redo time. But some folks think the problem might be upstairs, not behind the bench.

On Spittin’ Chiclets, Keith Yandle joked (but also kinda meant it) that Edmonton should bring in Shane Doan and Ray Whitney to run the team. Both are local guys, ex-players with resumes, and supposedly the kind who might keep McDavid happy. Doan’s been advising in Toronto, and Whitney’s done scouting and player-safety work, so they’re not total rookies at this. Whether Stan Bowman stays or goes is still up in the air, but whoever ends up in charge has a huge job: to rebuild the roster and convince McDavid that the future is worth sticking around for.

Analyst Pitches the Idea of a New GM in Edmonton

More Posts:

Canadiens Advance to Eastern Conference Final on Newhook’s OT Heroics
Quinn Hughes to New Jersey This Offseason Still Possible?
Insider Reveals Series of Events Leading to NHL Sanctions on Golden Knights
How Can the Canadiens Win Game 7 in Buffalo?
Sense Is That Connor McDavid Could Leave Without Oilers Improvements
Former Maple Leafs Coach to Interview with Edmonton Oilers