The Toronto Maple Leafs considered several candidates during their search for a new head coach this offseason, but few names generated as much surprise as Joe Pavelski’s.
After moving on from Craig Berube, newly appointed general manager John Chayka evaluated a wide range of options before eventually selecting Jim Hiller for the role. Along the way, the recently retired Pavelski unexpectedly emerged as a candidate under consideration.
The development caught many people around the league off guard, including one of Pavelski’s former teammates.
Former Teammate Reacts to Joe Pavelski-Toronto Maple Leafs Buzz
Speaking on Leafs Morning Take, Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston admitted he was surprised to see Pavelski’s name linked to Toronto’s coaching vacancy.
The reaction carried extra significance because of the close relationship the two built during their years together in Dallas.
When Johnston entered the NHL as a 19-year-old rookie in 2022, Pavelski and his wife, Sarah, welcomed him into their home. Johnston spent two seasons living with the family, learning firsthand what it takes to succeed at the highest level. From family dinners to daily workouts and conversations about the game, Johnston had an opportunity that very few young players receive.
The experience paid immediate dividends. Johnston scored 24 goals his rookie season before following that up with a 32-goal campaign in his second year.
Asked about the Maple Leafs rumors, Johnston admitted that the possibility had never crossed his mind. “Obviously, shocked me, seeing that. It wasn’t on my radar,” Johnston said.
“I’m sure it wasn’t too much on his radar, but it made a lot of sense to me. He’s obviously a very, very smart hockey mind and he knows the game very well. I think he can communicate it as well.
“My experience with him was amazing, and he helped me so much, as a teammate and as a mentor. It made a lot of sense to me that he would be a really good coach. And yeah, it was definitely very interesting though to see how that was shaping up,” he added.
Why Toronto Considered Pavelski
Despite having limited coaching experience, Pavelski’s hockey résumé speaks for itself.
Over the course of a career that spanned nearly two decades, Pavelski developed a reputation as one of the league’s smartest players and most respected leaders. Toronto’s front office may have viewed him as a potential candidate in the same mold as Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis, another former star who successfully transitioned behind the bench despite having little professional coaching experience.
While the Maple Leafs ultimately chose Hiller’s experience, the fact that Pavelski was brought in for formal interviews speaks volumes about how highly he is revered across front offices.
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Judging by Johnston’s comments, it’s easy to understand why.
Whether his future lies in the NHL or elsewhere in the hockey world, Pavelski appears destined to stay involved in the game for years to come.
