Originally published by NHLRumors.com
The Toronto Maple Leafs have talked to Joe Pavelski about their head coaching position
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Multiple sources have said that Joe Pavelski is a coaching candidate in the next phase of the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching search. One person said that it was a “Martin St. Louis-style candidate.”
Pavelski has been coaching his son’s youth hockey team in Madison, Wisconsin, since his retirement after the 2023-24 season. The Leafs did pass on some candidates for their lack of experience.
Peter Laviolette is a finalist for the Los Angeles Kings, along with Jay Woodcroft and D.J. Smith.
NHL Franchise Values 2026: CNBC Ranks All 32 Teams
Pierre LeBrun: “Joe Pavelski isn’t the only interesting name, although he sure is interesting for sure (@FriedgeHNIC first to report). Leafs GM John Chayka has spoken to more than 20 coaching candidates. Hearing there’s a few more interesting names in there. The search process is in its second phase now.”
@Nylanderthews: (posted video clip) Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network, the Toronto Maple Leafs talking to Joe Pavelski about their vacant head coaching position.
“So it’s like when I heard this yesterday, it’s, I thought someone was putting me on. And you know, so you make a couple of calls, and you know, I didn’t know, the Leafs didn’t say anything. Pavelski didn’t say anything.
But you know, I did call someone, and, and they said, who I think would know, and they called me back, and I kind of got the impression it was like, what can I say about this. And they called me back, and they said that I think if you were to frame it as the Maple Leafs are interested, and he’s at least interested in listening, that would be the right thing to do.
Golden Knights Coaching Gamble Fuels 2026 Cup Run
And I refer to it in the story, and on the pod, is like the Maple Leafs own Martin St. Louis candidate. You know, Martin, and it’s kind of fitting in the sense that Montreal just went to the third round. St. Louis did not have any head coaching experience at senior levels, but he coached minor hockey, including his kids. Pavelski coached his son, Nate, in Madison last year. I don’t think he’s done it for as long as St. Louis did it.
But you know, I mean, you guys all know him. Like he’s got a.. I mean, whether or not this actually happens, the reason I think people perked up like you did, KT, is that he has such enormous respect in the hockey (inaudible word).”
We had to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you love our reporting, choose NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.