The Search for a New Head Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the lookout for a new head coach following the dismissal of Craig Berube a little over two weeks ago. Despite ongoing speculation, there has been a scarcity of confirmed candidates emerging for the role. Recently, notable NHL insider Elliotte Friedman corroborated information from TheHockeyNews.com, stating that the organization has conducted interviews with several internal candidates.
Potential Candidates
During an appearance on Sportsnet’s The Hockey Fan Show, Friedman shared that both Derek Lalonde and Mike Van Ryn, who were assistants under Berube last season, were among those considered for the head coach position.
Derek Lalonde, who took on the role of managing the Maple Leafs’ penalty kill—a unit that performed commendably with a top-10 finish in the NHL last year—was entering his first season with Toronto. Before joining the Maple Leafs, he spent two and a half seasons as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings but was let go midway through the 2024-25 season. His prior experience includes contributing to the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s success in securing two Stanley Cup victories as an assistant coach.
Meanwhile, Mike Van Ryn completed his third season on the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff, having been recruited by Sheldon Keefe in the 2023-24 season. Additionally, Van Ryn collaborated with Berube when both were part of the St. Louis Blues from the 2018-19 season until 2022-23. Despite his coaching experience, Van Ryn has yet to hold a head coaching position in the NHL; however, he did serve in that capacity with the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL during the 2017-18 season and previously led the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL in 2015-16.
Challenges Ahead
As the search for the next head coach unfolds, the Leafs’ front office is considering how past coaching influences, including those of Berube, Keefe, and Mike Babcock, shaped the team’s performance. With the team having struggled defensively last season—allowing the second-most goals in the league—the next head coach will have significant challenges ahead in improving the Maple Leafs’ overall play.
