Toronto Maple Leafs Pursue Joe Pavelski for Head Coaching Job

Toronto Maple Leafs are interviewing retired NHL hockey star Joe Pavelski for the head coaching job. Pavelski confirmed to reporters that he is in the running for the position, citing discussions with the team. The 5-foot-11 centre helped lead the San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 and the Dallas Stars to the championship series in 2020. Pavelski registered 476 goals and 1,068 points in 1,332 career games. The Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube as head coach on May 13 after two seasons, hiring John Chayka as general manager and Hall of Famer Mats Sundin as senior executive advisor of hockey operations. According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Chayka has spoken to more than 20 candidates as part of the first phase of the process. The Maple Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-26-14 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. Toronto holds the No.1 draft pick at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo on June 26. Pavelski is excited to go through the process and see where it leads. The team is looking for a new head coach to lead them back to the playoffs. The search for a new head coach is ongoing, with several candidates in the running. The Maple Leafs are looking for a coach who can lead them to a Stanley Cup championship. Pavelski's experience and leadership skills make him a strong candidate for the position. The team will make a decision soon, and Pavelski is eager to see where the process takes him.