The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering another critical offseason, with the search for a new head coach taking center stage. As the team looks to break through in the playoffs, several prominent names have emerged as potential fits. Discussions around the coaching vacancy continue to heat up following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Recent reports highlight a mix of experienced NHL coaches and rising talents. Bruce Cassidy remains a top name, though his interest may lean elsewhere. Other candidates bring fresh perspectives or proven track records in developing young talent.
Potential leading candidates
Several names stand out in the latest assessments of the Leafs’ search. Bruce Cassidy heads many lists, but the Oilers appear to be a stronger destination for him right now. Manny Malhotra is another intriguing option, though any interest would require permission from the Canucks.
- Jack Capuano brings deep NHL experience as a former Islanders head coach.
- David Carle offers a fresh college coaching background from Denver.
- Mike Yeo has previously guided teams to strong regular-season results.
Additional names like Joe Sacco, Pascal Vincent, Peter Laviolette, Gerard Gallant, Steve Sullivan, and Dean Evason round out the broader pool of possibilities.
Coaching tiers and expert insights
Analysts have broken down the candidates into distinct tiers based on availability and fit. The “too late” category includes Cassidy, with reports suggesting the Oilers hold the edge. Veteran retreads such as Bruce Boudreau, Dean Evason, Peter Laviolette, and even Patrick Roy appear further down the list.
A second-chances group features Kris Knoblauch, Todd Nelson, and Jay Woodcroft. Fresh perspectives come from Misha Donskov, Jay Leach, and Manny Malhotra, while internal options include John Gruden, Derek Lalonde, and Steve Sullivan. Off-the-board picks like Jussi Ahokas and David Carle add intriguing long shots.
Elliotte Friedman recently shared on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that Cassidy is unlikely to land in Toronto and that the Kings represent a legitimate rival for his services.
Dallas Stars trade candidates to create cap space
Shifting focus to the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars face their own roster challenges. With Jason Robertson set to become a restricted free agent, the team projects just $11 million in cap space while needing to add multiple forwards. Clearing salary will be essential to retain the star winger at an expected $12 million or more.
Potential trade candidates include Radek Faksa, who has two years left at $2 million and serves as a reliable penalty-killing center. Sam Steel carries one year at $2.1 million after posting 12 goals and 21 assists in 73 games last season. Ilya Lyubushkin, in the final year of his $3.25 million deal, could also be moved, though re-signing Alexander Petrovic at a lower cost remains an option. Tyler Myers, acquired at the deadline and carrying a $1.5 million cap hit, has drawn scrutiny after limited playoff usage.
These moves could reshape the Stars’ depth chart while freeing resources for key re-signings.
The upcoming weeks promise further developments as both the Maple Leafs and Stars navigate their respective offseasons. How these decisions unfold could define their paths heading into 2026-27.
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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.