Patrick Roy’s in the Maple Leafs Coaching Search? So What?

If Elliotte Friedman’s right and Patrick Roy’s interview went “really good,” the bigger story isn’t whether he gets the job — it’s what hiring him would say about the kind of team Toronto wants to become.

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Patrick Roy Changes the Room No Matter Where He Goes

Roy has always been one of those figures who changes the tone of whatever room he’s in. As a player, he was fiery and uncompromising; as a coach, he’s carried that same emotional intensity. He isn’t the buttoned-up, TV-friendly type who sells systems with diagrams — he’s a presence-first guy. That matters because the Leafs aren’t just shopping for X’s and O’s right now. They might be shopping for identity.

Reports that Toronto is interviewing a wide range of candidates already suggest this is more than a routine fix. If Roy’s actually high on the list, it signals the org is seriously weighing culture and mentality as part of its next move. In plain terms, they might believe the roster’s talent isn’t the core issue. Instead, it’s their response to pressure and how the team behaves in tight moments.

That’s the Same Old Criticism the Maple Leafs Have Had for Seasons

That criticism about the Maple Leafs isn’t new. They’ve never lacked skill. What’s been questioned is their consistent pushback when it matters most — in playoff series, in late-game tight spots, and during stretches where momentum swings. A coach like Roy reframes the problem. Hiring him would be a statement that the team is trying to inject edge, accountability, and emotional backbone into its identity. It’s less about teaching a new breakout scheme and more about resetting expectations, clarity, and bite.

Roy also brings comfort with pressure. He lived under bright lights for decades in Montreal and Colorado and has dealt with heavy scrutiny everywhere he’s coached. Toronto is one of the toughest markets in hockey; no coach walks in here without scrutiny. Roy wouldn’t be intimidated by that heat — if anything, it’s his natural habitat.

That the Interview Went Well Doesn’t Mean Roy Gets Hired

That doesn’t mean Roy is a perfect fit, or that Toronto will pick him without weighing other experienced NHL coaches who offer proven tactical systems. An interview going well is far from a hire. The team still must consider how players respond to Roy’s intensity, whether he can adapt to modern defensive structures, and how the organization balances his emotional leadership with schematic needs.

That’s especially true of Auston Matthews. You’d expect him to have a say in the team’s direction.

Where Roy Fits Into a More Analytical Maple Leafs Approach

But the bigger point is clear: this search feels like it could be about more than tactics. Bringing Roy in would signal the Maple Leafs want someone who can change the temperature in the locker room and the bench when games get ugly. If they believe mentality and edge are missing pieces, Roy’s candidacy tells you they’re ready to try the same route they went to with Craig Berube, but in another body.

That’s surprising given the new leadership’s stated focus on analytics. Roy does not stress that in his decision-making style. He is one who prioritizes presence and accountability as much as playbooks. Whether that pays off is another question, but it’s an intentionally loud message about what this franchise might become.

From what the new Maple Leafs’ leadership has said, he doesn’t seem to be a fit as the head coach.

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