The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers may have just received an unexpected boost if they decide to pursue a coaching change this summer. A new name entering the market has stoked speculation that both teams could consider a different direction behind the bench.
Why the Maple Leafs and Oilers Could Make an Offseason Coaching Change
Toronto’s season appears all but over. The Maple Leafs sit near the bottom of the Atlantic Division and are 13 points out of a wild-card spot with only eight games remaining. To make matters worse, captain Auston Matthews is out for the season due to injury.
The disappointing season and inconsistent play have fueled speculation about the future of head coach Craig Berube, with the Leafs potentially considering a change in the offseason.
In Edmonton, the situation is slightly different. The Oilers have won three straight games, but they endured a rough stretch beforehand. Comments from captain Connor McDavid, including praise for Jon Cooper, sparked discussion about his satisfaction with the current coaching staff.
That chatter has led to speculation surrounding head coach Kris Knoblauch and whether Edmonton could also explore a change.
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The biggest development came when the Vegas Golden Knights parted ways with head coach Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella. Cassidy’s sudden availability immediately drew interest from teams searching for an experienced bench boss.
NHL analyst Nick Alberga noted, “Meantime, an intriguing coaching candidate just became available for the Toronto Maple Leafs, assuming they move on from Craig Berube.”
With a Stanley Cup and strong résumé, Bruce Cassidy would be an attractive option for contenders. During his time with the Vegas Golden Knights, he posted a 178-99-43 record, won two Pacific Division titles, and earned 24 playoff wins. But he was let go after a 5-10-2 stretch following the Olympic break, including six losses in seven games.
Manny Malhotra Emerging as a Potential NHL Head Coaching Candidate
Cassidy isn’t the only name gaining traction. Manny Malhotra, currently the head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, is also drawing interest.
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NHL insider David Pagnotta indicated that Malhotra is on the radar of multiple teams considering coaching changes.
“I know we’ve had the first-year coach before, but do you go back to a familiar face in that organization? Do you go to Manny Malhotra? Do you explore that? Because I can tell you he’s on the radars of a few different teams out there looking to either make or considering a coaching change for next season,” Pagnotta said.
For now, it’s all speculation, and any coaching decisions will likely depend on how things unfold this offseason.
