The Toronto Maple Leafs’ search for a new head coach has taken an unexpected and intriguing turn. Former NHL star Joe Pavelski has emerged as a serious candidate for the position, and the possibility is already generating plenty of buzz among fans.
It’s a surprising direction for new general manager John Chayka, especially after the organization parted ways with Craig Berube following Toronto’s stunning failure to reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Toronto Fans React to Rumors Linking Pavelski to Maple Leafs Job
Pavelski, who retired following the 2023-24 season after an outstanding career that saw him play 1,332 NHL games and record 1,068 points, is reportedly expected to interview for the vacancy.
The 2025 Hall of Famer has never coached professionally, but he has remained involved in the game through youth hockey, including coaching his son’s team in Wisconsin. Despite his lack of experience behind an NHL bench, he is reportedly very interested in the opportunity and remains a legitimate option for Toronto.
The reaction from around the hockey world was swift.
“Joe Pavelski is exciting. No idea how he would coach, but he was always an incredibly intelligent player. Reminds me a lot of Spezza. No interest in Laviolette or Roy, so at least Pavelski is fun,” one fan said.
Analyst Marshall Auerback highlighted Pavelski’s longstanding ties to USA Hockey, saying, “Very interesting choice. He’s a longtime Team USA guy, so I bet Matthews would appreciate having him as coach.”
For some observers, the lack of experience isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker if the alternative is hiring a more familiar coaching retread. “The lack of experience is a thing, but Pavelski intrigues me a lot more than Laviolette or Roy,” wrote The Leafs Nation’s Nick Richard.
Jason Gold is ready to embrace the risk entirely, believing Pavelski’s leadership qualities could translate behind the bench. “Could totally see The Big Pavelski being an incredible NHL head coach. I say roll the dice!”
Overall, the early reaction has leaned more curious than critical, with many viewing Pavelski as a fascinating wildcard rather than a long-shot candidate.
A High-Risk, High-Reward Option
The comparisons to Martin St. Louis are hard to ignore. Like St. Louis, Pavelski would go from coaching youth hockey to the NHL level. A former seventh-round pick, he built an outstanding career through strong leadership, high hockey IQ, and hard work, becoming one of the league’s most respected players.
He’s also known as a great communicator, with Elliotte Friedman noting how he once reached out to Tomas Hertl during a scoring slump to help him regain confidence.
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There are still real concerns. Unlike Montreal with Martin St. Louis during a rebuild, Toronto doesn’t have time for development or mistakes. With stars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander in their prime, the pressure is to win immediately.
Hiring Pavelski would be a risk, but many believe his leadership, intelligence, and reputation could still make him a strong fit for one of the NHL’s toughest jobs.
