The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly eyeing University of Denver's David Carle to spearhead an organizational rebuild.

Following a playoff miss and the dismissal of Craig Berube, the 36-year-old coach has emerged as a candidate to stabilize the franchise.

General Manager John Chayka and Toronto have been linked to various coaching candidates, including Bruce Cassidy and Manny Malhotra.

But according to NHL insider Emily Kaplan, the team is now looking at Carle.

“The Maple Leafs have real interest in coach David Carle, and he seems to be at least entertaining it,” she stated, as per the NHL Rumour Report. “But he has been highly selective about making the jump to the NHL and has never wanted to do it just for the sake of it.”

Carle is currently coaching the men’s hockey team at the University of Denver, and with much success. With Toronto seeking to build for the future, he seems to be the ideal fit.

Fellow insider Elliotte Friedman has supported the rumor.

“I do think Toronto wants to make Carle at least think about them, and see if they can do that,” he said on the Donnie and Dhali podcast.

Carle has already led Denver to three NCAA Championships in five years, winning the latest one in April 2026. He also coached Team U.S. to two Junior World Championships in 2024 and 2025.

And he has existing links to Toronto. Carle joined Denver’s hockey coaching staff as a student assistant. Working as the assistant coach on the team was Derek Lalonde, who’s currently serving the same role at the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Carle has cited Lalonde as a central figure in his coaching career. He recalled their conversation during his junior year and receiving his encouragement to consider coaching.

“He (Lalonde) goes, “Well, I think you should consider it, I think you would be really good at it,” Carle stated on the NHL Unscripted podcast.

The two also worked together at the Green Bay Gamblers in the US Hockey League.

Besides this connection, Carle's modern tactics and success with younger rosters align with Toronto's long-term strategy.

An offseason of contracts and picks for Toronto

The Maple Leafs’ offseason shifts also extend to squad overhaul. The organization won the NHL draft lottery and landed the No. 1 pick.

Among the candidates, Penn State forward Gavin McKenna will likely join the Maple Leafs. The 18-year-old prodigy is hailed for his playmaking and creativity, which could power Toronto’s offense for the next decade.
On the other hand, Auston Matthews’ future remains uncertain. The 28-year-old center will enter the final year of his contract ahead of the 2026-27 season.

But despite the rumors, Friedman believes Matthews wants to win with Toronto, and talks are taking a positive turn for a renewal.

“He has indicated that he wants to win in Toronto, and I believe that is the message that he has reiterated,"Friedman said, as per NHL Rumour Report. "And that is what the organization is going with.”

With a significant overhaul looming, the upcoming front-office decisions will define Toronto’s trajectory.

Will the Maple Leafs land David Carle? Can he lead their rebuild? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sijo Paul

Edited by

Sijo Paul