Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Waiting for an Unavailable Coach?

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have another intriguing name to consider in their ongoing coaching search, as Bruce Cassidy is reportedly open to the opportunity.

According to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, Cassidy would have “interest in any opening” and is willing to speak with Toronto about its vacancy—if the Vegas Golden Knights grant permission. That if is the key hurdle, as Vegas has so far declined to allow other teams to interview their head coach. It’s not clear they’re ever going to.

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Still, why not wait if you’re the Maple Leafs? At this point, they’ve talked to more than 50 candidates. They’ve seriously interviewed over 20. Word is, they’ve narrowed it down to their top five, with one off the board in Peter Laviolette. And because there’s growing belief that the Golden Knights could revisit their stance on Cassidy and the Maple Leafs are not in the same division as Vegas —an Eastern Conference team like the Maple Leafs is less of a threat—there remains a chance Cassidy will be available.

For Toronto, patience may be the smartest approach. New general manager John Chayka has already emphasized that the organization won’t operate under any “artificial timeline” after parting ways with Craig Berube last month. With Laviotte now in Los Angeles, Joe Pavelski not really being on anyone else’s radar, and the Maple Leafs not going anywhere near Babcock with a 10 ft pole, there’s time. With free agency still weeks away, the Leafs can fully evaluate their options, including waiting one more week to see if Cassidy gets the green light. If he doesn’t, Toronto is no worse off in a week than they are now.

At the start of the offseason, Cassidy was widely viewed as one of the most accomplished coaches on the market—and that perception hasn’t changed. Cassidy arguably stands alone as the most proven candidate, if available.

The question now is whether the Leafs are willing to wait for the chance to speak with him. They have yet to submit a request to Vegas, likely because they know nothing will happen during the playoffs.

As Siegel suggested, there’s little downside in keeping options open. For a team looking to make the right hire, adding Cassidy to the conversation—even if it takes time—could ultimately be worth it.

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