The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ search for a new head coach continues, but one of the most discussed names linked to the vacancy may not be as close to the job as recent speculation suggested.
Speaking on the latest edition of 32 Thoughts, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman pushed back on reports connecting former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft to Toronto’s coaching search. According to Friedman, the Maple Leafs have not taken formal steps toward interviewing Woodcroft and, at this stage, he is not among the candidates expected to meet with the team.
“I want to make one thing very clear: I’m not interested in going after anyone here,” Friedman said. “A lot of stuff gets thrown around at this time of year, I’m guilty of it as anyone else is. I’ve just heard Toronto has not asked permission to talk to him, and right now, he’s not on their list of people to interview.”
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Friedman added that the situation could still change but emphasized that there has been no request for permission and potentially no plans to make one.
“I don’t know why, I don’t know if there’s anything there,” Friedman said. “I’ve just heard they haven’t asked for permission to talk to him, and they may not at all. That’s where it stands right now.”
Why is the coaching search more important for Maple Leafs this time?
The report comes during a significant organizational reset in Toronto. After firing Craig Berube on May 13, the Maple Leafs began a broad review of their hockey operations structure. General manager John Chayka now leads the front office, while franchise icon Mats Sundin has returned in an executive advisory role.
Berube’s departure followed a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which Toronto failed to build on its Atlantic Division title from the previous season. The club’s offense regressed under a defense-first system that appeared to limit the effectiveness of stars such as Auston Matthews.
As a result, Toronto’s next coaching hire is expected to be tied directly to the franchise’s long-term identity.
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What it means for Jay Woodcroft and Toronto?
Woodcroft remains one of the more accomplished coaches available. His tenure in Edmonton included a trip to the Western Conference Final, a 79-41-13 NHL record, and the most efficient power play in league history during the 2022-23 season.
So, his offensive mindset would appear to fit Toronto’s talent base better than the structure-heavy approach that failed under Berube. However, Chayka’s early moves suggest the organization is conducting a wide-ranging search rather than targeting obvious candidates.
In the NHL, rumors often move faster than reality. While Woodcroft could still emerge as a candidate later in the process, the Maple Leafs currently appear focused on evaluating a broader pool of options.
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For now, the growing buzz surrounding Woodcroft and Toronto remains just that — buzz. The Maple Leafs’ coaching search is still taking shape, and the club appears determined to avoid rushing a decision that could define the next phase of its franchise.
