NHL Coaching Changes Ahead of 2026-27 Season
As the NHL prepares for the start of the 2026-27 season, only the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers remain without head coaches. This comes after the Los Angeles Kings made headlines by signing veteran coach Peter Laviolette to a three-year contract, marking a significant move in the coaching carousel.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Coaching Search
The Maple Leafs have seen their pool of potential candidates dwindle as LaViolette was among the frontrunners expected to fill their head coaching vacancy. Earlier in June, the Vancouver Canucks also made a significant hire by bringing in Manny Malhotra, a name that had previously been associated with the Leafs’ coaching search.
In light of Laviolette’s recent appointment, TSN’s sports journalist Pierre LeBrun provided an update on Toronto’s ongoing search for a new head coach. According to him, the organization is set to enter the next stage of the hiring process, which includes conducting in-person interviews this week.
Currently, LeBrun reports that around five candidates are in consideration for the position.
Potential Candidates
One intriguing prospect that has come under the spotlight is Joe Pavelski, a retired NHL forward who played for the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. Although Pavelski has expressed interest in transitioning from coaching his son’s youth hockey team to the NHL level, sources suggest the Maple Leafs’ management continues to prioritize candidates with more extensive head coaching experience.
Chris Johnston, another trusted hockey insider, speculated on The Chris Johnston Show that while Pavelski is a candidate worth noting, the team may ultimately prefer someone like Laviolette, who brings a wealth of experience.
As the Leafs maneuver through this phase of the coaching search, they face the challenge of recalibrating their strategy after losing out on Laviolette, potentially leading them to identify new key candidates who align with their vision for the team’s future.
