Woodcroft guided the Anaheim Ducks to a 19 percent jump in 5v5 expected goals per 60 minutes during the 2025-26 season, moving them from 22nd to tied for fifth in the NHL.
Oilers tenure sets the benchmark
Woodcroft compiled a .643 points percentage across 133 regular-season games with the Edmonton Oilers from 2022 to 2024.
That mark included three playoff series victories after he replaced Dave Tippett midseason in 2021-22.
The Oilers had posted just one playoff series win in the prior 15 seasons before his arrival.
His power-play and forward-group emphasis produced consistent offensive gains that carried over into his current role.
Ducks revival validates development skills
As an assistant under Joel Quenneville, Woodcroft oversaw the power play and forwards for a Ducks team that reached the playoffs for the first time in years.
Young players including Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry posted career highs in production under the staff he joined on July 1, 2025.
The 5v5 xGF/60 rise from 2.43 to 2.88 directly traces to structured drills and matchup management Woodcroft implemented.
Pat Verbeek stated he would never block Woodcroft from a head-coaching opportunity, calling the NHL bench the pinnacle of the profession.
Toronto and Los Angeles emerge as prime destinations
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Woodcroft interviewed with the Los Angeles Kings last week and is scheduled to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs later this week.
Woodcroft enters those discussions as the front-runner for Toronto’s vacancy according to the same report.
Both clubs feature established cores that match Woodcroft’s track record of elevating skilled rosters without requiring a full rebuild.
His experience with high-event, transition-heavy systems aligns with the style each organization has pursued in recent seasons.
The Wraparound podcast from The Hockey News explicitly flagged Woodcroft’s fit as a top discussion topic for the 2026-27 cycle.
Unless the Maple Leafs or Kings pivot to an internal candidate, Woodcroft will occupy one of those benches by training camp.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.