With Sheldon Keefe relieved of his duties, the next chapter begins behind the Leafs bench. With another season suffering an all too familiar fate, there is an appetite for change. Even prior to Keith Pelley, Brendan Shanahan, and Brad Treliving (read ownership representation, President, and general manager, respectively) meeting with the media, the offseason kicks off.
Let’s take a look at the options that might be available and what qualities might be prioritized in the search for the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Due respects
Keefe becomes the first domino to fall, and can do so proudly embracing a new horizon. Despite the playoff failures of his teams, Keefe added a lot of positives to his NHL resume and will quickly become an attractive option for other NHL teams. For his trouble, he leaves the Leafs with a two-year extension that begins next season, affording him some grace to return on his own terms. While fans are certainly unhappy with the team’s playoff performances, there should still be room to appreciate Keefe’s long tenure and his contributions on and off the ice.
In the same breath, NHL teams are often much less patient with their bench bosses. Debatably, every member of the team holds enough blame to be moved off of, Keefe no different. There is most certainly room for a new voice, and a new vision for the roster. The world of NHL coaching is less focused on Mr. Right than it is on Mr. Right Now, and the chance for a better future lies in the balance.
To some extent, any coach could be an option, the possibilities impossibly long before more insider rumblings arise. No matter who is hired, lineup changes will occur. There will be a power vacuum for ice time, a fresh start for everyone to prove themselves to a new coach. Inevitably some players will fall out of favour, just as some find themselves coming into it. Keefe always seemed to keep his lines in a blender, and many players have shared time together, but some surprises lie ahead.
Big names
As perhaps the most high-profile coaching job in the NHL, and with the bankroll to back it up, the Leafs are rumoured to be in on many or all of the biggest names on the coaching market. To an extent this much should be expected, as teams often zigzag between experienced and inexperienced coaches, trying to enact change by targeting something different than before. As Sheldon Keefe was a first time NHL coach, there might understandably be an appetite for someone more experienced this time around.
Craig Berube is seen as the big fish this offseason. Having won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, Berube has been to the top as a head coach, a fairly rare accomplishment. This does hold some weight on its own, but Berube’s demeanour as old-school and hard-nosed evokes much of the imagery that Leafs GM Brad Treliving seems to covet in his teams. For now, Berube stands alone because of his experience and availability.
Gerard Gallant does not have a Stanley Cup, but does have a history of success as an NHL head coach. Gallant has often led his teams to surprising success, previously with the New York Rangers after the David Quinn era, the inaugural Vegas Golden Knights before that, and even an upstart Florida Panthers team prior to their most recent run of success. Despite this, Gallant never seems to last long with his teams. Like Berube, Gallant is seen as hard-nosed and old-school.
Todd McLellan has won a Cup as an assistant coach, but not as a head coach. An assistant for Mike Babcock’s Detroit Red Wings, McLellan went off on his own to coach the San Jose Sharks for a long time. The Sharks never won a Cup, but were consistently among the league’s top teams. McLellan had a brief stop in Edmonton, and was fired by the Los Angeles Kings this season. He certainly has an edge, but seems a bit more patient or reserved than Berube or Gallant.
These three coaches form the most obvious interviews for the Leafs. Fans should expect to hear their names as more reporting on the coaching search matriculates to the public eye. It is likely that one of these coaches will get the Leafs job.
Legacy hires
Some of the candidates are a bit older, or perceived to be late in their coaching careers, if not finished entirely. These coaches offer vast experience, but there is no guarantee they would even be looking to take the Leafs job. Still, they are relevant and worthy of some discussion.
Darryl Sutter might lead the way because of his history with Treliving. Often GMs will circle back to the familiar, to trust already built. Sutter is definitely befitting of the old-school hard-nosed reputation, often turning his teams into tight-checking, low-event teams that look to win 2–1 every night. Sutter often offers understated press conferences, wry humour delivered through low grumbles.
Bruce Boudreau is a self-professed Leafs fan, an accomplished coach who most recently inspired a wealth of fan appreciation on a flawed Vancouver Canucks team. Boudreau might be best known for his long tenures with the Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks, building a strong regular season resume. Playoff success has been elusive for Boudreau, a fact that might not play well for a Leafs team that has done even worse in that respect. Boudreau does seem to be a bit more offence-leaning than others in his experience bracket, but still seems to favour size.
Claude Julien is the final coach of this ilk worth mentioning. Julien last coached with the Montreal Canadiens, but is better known for his work with the Boston Bruins. In many ways, Julien could be credited with installing the foundation of success that the Bruins still stand on. His demeanour is not as intimidating as the likes of Berube, Gallant, or Sutter, but Julien’s teams are often quite strong defensively.
Though the Leafs are probably looking for experience, these coaches likely won’t find themselves in the mix when push comes to shove. At the same time, they might not even be looking to coach in the NHL at this point either.
Not really available
Our next group of coaches might be perfect for the job if certain major issues are ignored. They will inspire the imagination of many fans one way or another, but ultimately one’s breath should not be held for their hiring at this point.
Rod Brind’Amour leads the pack, one of the most highly regarded coaches at the moment. Brind’Amour has not won a Cup as an NHL head coach, but has developed one of the strongest programs league-wide during his time with the Hurricanes. The Canes play a distinct style of man-to-man defence, use their depth, and routinely steamroll their way through the regular season. The Canes have been doing all this while paying their off-ice staff less than most teams, leading to lots of speculation anytime a new contract is coming due, as is the case with Brind’Amour currently.
John Cooper is the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, overseeing the team’s journey to what was essentially a dynasty. He and Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins boast multiple Cup rings as NHL head coaches, a resume not easily matched. Both their respective teams seem to be on a downward trajectory as their core players grow older. In large part, their being options for the Leafs is contingent upon the decay of their current teams reaching a point where they are let go.
No matter where Joel Quenneville fits in this equation, the pros to his hiring are defined while the cons seem a bit less clear. After the scandal involving the Chicago Blackhawks came to light, Quenneville took his brunt of the blame, suspended indefinitely by the NHL. There’s not much reason to believe that Quenneville will be in the running for the Leafs job, though many will bring his name up. As far as resume goes, not many coaches can hold a candle to Quenneville, but there is no guarantee that the public or the league itself will be ready for his return. Facetiously, Quenneville and his camp might be using this job opening as a way to test this.
These coaches will be discussed to a greater extent than they are likely to end up with the job. A lot of smoke, but not much fire, if you will.
In the system
There are two reasonable options already part of the Leafs organization. Although Keefe was hired to the Leafs job under these circumstances, it is fairly unlikely that the team goes with either of these candidates.
Guy Boucher is younger than Gallant, but has similar traits on his resume. Boucher often produces surprisingly strong results in year one as head coach, flaming out quickly afterwards. Rumour has it that Brendan Shanahan has long held Boucher in high regard. Unfortunately, Boucher oversaw a Leafs power play that dried up in the spring. The power play seems to have been an issue for some time, but it certainly does not help Boucher’s case.
John Gruden is the coach of the Toronto Marlies, having previously held the top job for the USHL’s Chicago Steel. The Steel are still an establishment producing a lot of top prospects bound for the NCAA, but Gruden was around prior, helping to lay the groundwork of that reputation. Gruden has done well with the Marlies, but it would seem that he still has more to prove at the AHL level.
The Leafs know both of these candidates well, which does give them a glimmer of hope should they go for the job. It is unlikely that either is among the top options for the Leafs, but a promotion would be a sign that there is more than meets the eye.
Other league-wide options
Heading into list form, there is a solid base of options that might be up for consideration. Not just for the Leafs, but for coaching opportunities around the league.
Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason were head coaches that were fired this season, let go by the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild respectively. Woodcroft’s profile shares some similarities to Keefe’s but in a smaller profile. Utilizing a bold 11 forward, seven defencemen lineup in transforming the Oilers into a better possession team. Evason has the mean-mugging, hard-nosed demeanour many fans are hoping for, leading a rough-and-tumble Wild to the playoffs.
Neither have enough of a resume to garner much attention in the Leafs head coaching search, but they might be options as assistant coaches. The Leafs are among the teams that could afford to pay their assistants top dollar, which might present an interesting opening. Woodcroft, for example, would seem to have tactical wit that would pair well underneath a hard-nosed motivated Berube or Gallant. If either of these coaches are hired as head coach it will mean that the Leafs think they see greatness where others might not.
NHL assistants
These coaches are currently with NHL teams as assistants, meaning they will (most probably) not be joining the Leafs in a lateral move. Most of these individuals have been rising up the ranks, and seem destined for NHL head coaching roles at some point.
Jay Leach, Seattle Kraken
Marc Savard, Calgary Flames
Ryan Warsofsky, San Jose Sharks
Mitch Love, Washington Capitals
Bob Boughner, Detroit Red Wings
Joel Ward, Vegas Golden Knights
Marc Savard had a good career as an OHL head coach, and now finds himself charged with power play duties for the Flames. As a player, Savard was a playmaking savant, an ability he has been able to translate into a reputation as a creative, offensive coach. Hiring Savard as Leafs head coach would be aggressive, and would represent an unexpected turn towards skill.
Bob Boughner, on the other hand, is a more defensive, old-school presence. Boughner was head coach of a San Jose Sharks team on a harsh decline, but still managed a high-level penalty kill. The results in Detroit have been hit-and-miss in that regard, but Boughner clearly possesses some of the attributes the Leafs would seem to covet.
Joel Ward is still early in his coaching career, but does warrant discussion. Ward, a Toronto native, worked his way up the ranks as a player. A late bloomer, through sheer will Ward transformed himself into a top six NHL forward with snarl and power play utility. Ward joined top power play units on contending teams and delivered his share of clutch playoff performances. Oftentimes players that are able to improve so much over the course of their careers do so because of attributes that might transfer well to coaching. If Ward is able to inspire the will he played with in his players as a coach he will do well.
Mitch Love won back-to-back AHL coach of the year awards with the Calgary Flames affiliate, a triumphant accomplishment that Treliving had a front-row seat to. Love helped a mediocre Washington Capitals team to a playoff spot this season under former Leafs assistant coach Spencer Carbury. Love seemed to be ready for an NHL head coaching opportunity last offseason, and only improved his profile since. In all, Love is an intriguing long-shot candidate in this tier, perhaps more so than any other potential candidate of this ilk.
AHL head coaches
While other names on the market are flashy, current AHL head coaches are often among the most substantive candidates available. Usually, these candidates are promoted from within their own organizations, but there is precedence of poaching from the outside. For example, Kris Knoblauch was hired by the Edmonton Oilers this season from the Hartford Wolfpack, the New York Rangers AHL affiliate.
Dan Bylsma boasts a rare resume as an AHL head coach who has won a Stanley Cup as an NHL head coach. Bylsma led the Pittsburgh Penguins to their 2008–09 Cup win, and held the Penguins job until 2014–15. Bylsma was quickly hired by the Buffalo Sabres, lasting only two seasons. The mood had soured on Bylsma by then, but the Sabres dysfunction of that era went far beyond the coach and set several careers back. Bylsma is now head coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate, who have started their franchise with strong back-to-back seasons.
Marco Sturm is head coach of the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate. Sturm is still a young coach, but has made a positive impression. Todd Nelson is far more experienced as a coach, and understandably has supporters to go with a strong resume.
To an extent, this section can go on, but regardless Leafs fans shouldn’t discount a candidate from this group.
Junior Coaches
Gardiner MacDougall has been the head coach at the University of New Brunswick since 2000–01. MacDougall went undefeated this season at the USports level before leading team Canada to a 7–0 record and gold medal win at this season’s U18 World Junior Championship. MacDougall is clearly earning some long-overdue credit as a coach, but the jump to the NHL is still wide. It might make sense for a younger rebuilding NHL team to hire MacDougall, much less so an aspiring contender like the Leafs.
Jay Pandolfo is head coach at Boston University, a stacked NCAA team that had current Leaf Cade Webber as its captain. To an extent, Pandolfo seems destined for an NHL job at some point. Again, Pandolfo might be a more attractive option for a younger NHL team than the Leafs, but given his gritty style as an NHL player, he still might check a lot of boxes for the Leafs.
There are many good head coaches in junior leagues, but these two are seeing a good deal of chatter in this year’s offseason cycle.
Outside the box
There is at least one untapped market inefficiency when it comes to NHL head coaches, Europeans. It was not long ago that this was true of NHL players, but clearly there are great hockey talents from across the globe. The Leafs played a big part in helping to end that stigma when they brought Borje Salming and Inge Hammarstrom into the NHL from Sweden. This helped establish a strong relationship between the NHL, the Leafs, and Sweden, something we saw materialize in the Global Series this season. Especially as more former NHL players become coaches, it’s almost undeniable that there will be a European NHL head coach in the near future.
There is clearly a lot of coaching talent, and NHL teams are doing themselves a disservice not to look into this talent pool, if only for due diligence and the exchange of ideas. Rikard Gronborg is often highlighted as one of the best options, with a storied career and experience coaching NHLers, many of whom advocate for his ability to coach in the NHL. Often, Gronborg’s style is described as being a stylistic hybrid between the North American and European games.
That said, Gronborg is far from the only option worth mentioning. Sam Hallam is another well-regarded Swedish coach. Finland has some talent as well, with Jukka Jalonen and Olli Jokinen as a couple of the standouts. Typically the bigger ice in Sweden and Finland leads to more defensive styles of play. Historically these leagues are much less physical than the NHL, and as the NHL itself becomes faster and more skilled, these methodologies could be an invaluable leg up for the team that hires coaches from this region. The Swedes have historically focused more on individual skills, while the Finns have a reputation for leaning on team-oriented defensive commitment to punch above their weight. All together, Olli Jokinen stands out. A skilled centre during his time in the NHL, Jokinen is a former Leaf, and has already begun his rise up the coaching ranks.
Meanwhile, the KHL and Russian hockey are usually bold and offence-focused. Still, there are some former NHL players turned coaches who might find themselves behind an NHL bench at some point. Sergei Fedorov and Igor Larionov stand out. Fedorov is known for some daring tactics as a coach, but as one of the finest defensive forwards of his time, he might have a unique take on star players buying into team defence. Larionov boasts a strong reputation as a teacher. Larionov might be a better option for a younger NHL team, but is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
There are lots of options
Whether it’s an established NHL coach with history of success, an outside-the-box European hire, or a rank riser from the AHL, there are many options for the Leafs to choose from to find their next head coach.
In the regular season, Sheldon Keefe was one of the most successful Leafs coaches of all time. But in the playoffs, he couldn’t lead the troops to victory.
Whoever the new coach is will have to find a way to motivate the group in a way no one’s been able to yet. Maybe it’ll be lineup changes, or maybe it’ll be a new attitude in the locker room. Whatever strategy they see fit, Toronto’s new coach will have a lot of work to do.
