Pavelski Joins Coach Search
Toronto Maple Leafs Interview Retired Star Joe Pavelski Amidst Broad Coaching Search
The Toronto Maple Leafs have entered the second phase of their head-coaching search, and sources say recently retired star Joe Pavelski is among the candidates being discussed as GM John Chayka continues a broad process. Multiple reports indicate Pavelski is expected to receive an interview and that he is legitimately interested despite having no professional NHL head-coaching experience, instead coaching at the youth level, including his son’s team. Chayka has emphasized there is no artificial timeline and that conviction matters most, after Craig Berube was fired on May 13 following the team’s failure to make the playoffs and Chayka’s arrival as GM. Earlier interview work has already included Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette, but Pavelski’s candidacy is being framed as a “Martin St. Louis-style” outside-the-box option given his respect in the game and recent involvement with hockey beyond the NHL. Supporters of the move note Pavelski’s intelligence and USA Hockey ties, while the major knock remains his lack of an NHL bench résumé.
Key Points
Elliotte Friedman said the Pavelski name “caught even him off guard,” adding: “this is a player who is hugely respected, hugely respected,” while emphasizing the interview talk was not merely a courtesy call.
TSN reported Chayka has spoken to “more than 20 candidates” already as part of the search, and said there is “no artificial timeline,” focusing instead on “conviction” when identifying “the next leader of the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Sportsnet’s Friedman (via the Mercury News) added that Chayka initially had a much wider net—“55 people were on his list or inquired about the job,” with that number expected to be cut to “20 or so” in the coming days.
Friedman also described a real-time example of Pavelski’s hockey instincts: while watching from home, he noticed Tomas Hertl’s goal drought, called Hertl (a former Sharks teammate) and told him to “stop overthinking,” and Hertl’s slump broke.
Separately, observers linked Pavelski’s USA Hockey background to player fit—Marshall Auerback said, “He’s a longtime Team USA guy, so I bet Matthews would appreciate having him as coach,” according to the Yahoo Sports fan/analyst reaction roundup.
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