BOSTON, MA - MAY 29: St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube talks about his big overtime win tonight. During Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals featuring the St. Louis Blues against the Boston Bruins on May 29, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire) NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 29 Stanley Cup Final - Blues at Bruins PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon147190529041
BOSTON, MA - MAY 29: St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube talks about his big overtime win tonight. During Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals featuring the St. Louis Blues against the Boston Bruins on May 29, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire) NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 29 Stanley Cup Final - Blues at Bruins PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon147190529041
The Toronto Maple Leafs have entered a new phase after firing head coach Craig Berube. The team has opened the door for another coaching change, showing that the front office wants to quickly reset the team’s direction.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not yet started their search for a new coach. But NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has already named three possible candidates who could replace Craig Berube. Friedman said Manny Malhotra is a strong candidate. He also mentioned Jay Woodcroft and David Carle as possible options if they show interest
"I think (Manny) Malhotra, very legitimate candidate, I think (Jay) Woodcroft, potentially a candidate, I do think if David Carle wanted to talk to them, I think he would be a candidate," said Friedman.
May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Manny Malhotra (20) faces the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Manny Malhotra (20) faces the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a transition phase right now. They first hired John Chayka as the new general manager. Chayka’s first big move was to remove Craig Berube as head coach.
The team also won the NHL lottery, so they now have a chance to pick the No. 1 overall pick. This gives them a strong opportunity to build a long-term core. Overall, many changes and chances are coming for the team.
As far as the team’s new coach, there are different opinions surrounding the internet. Some believe the team wants an experienced veteran coach, while others think they may choose a young coach for long-term growth. A decision may come soon.
A Look at the Backgrounds of All Three Coaching Candidates of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Starting with Manny Malhotra, the Vancouver Canucks hired him as a development coach in 2016, after his retirement. Later, he became an assistant coach in 2017.
On September 17, 2020, the Toronto Maple Leafs hired him as assistant coach. He returned to Vancouver in 2024 as Abbotsford Canucks head coach and won a Calder Cup in his first season.
Coming to Jay Woodcroft, he has coached in the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Bakersfield Condors, and Anaheim Ducks. He won the Stanley Cup as Detroit video coach in 2008. He also led the Bakersfield Condors to strong AHL division success.
Last one, David Carle, who has been the head coach of the University of Denver hockey team since 2018. Before that, he was an assistant coach at the Denver and Green Bay Gamblers (USHL).
He has won multiple NCAA national championships and also coached Team USA at World Juniors.
With Craig Berube gone, Toronto now enters an important new phase. Several coaching names are already rising quickly, and fans now wait to see which direction the Maple Leafs will finally choose next.
So, who out of these three do you think will get to take the Maple Leafs' responsibility after Berube?
Read more at the NHL Fan Central
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Souvik Roy