Maple Leafs’ coaching search moves into a smaller second phase, with about five candidates still in play

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reaching the second phase of their head coaching search, after another round of candidates was effectively pared down. Yahoo Sports reports that the team is now down to a smaller group, described as “about five candidates,” in a process intended to identify the right 42nd head coach in franchise history.

The timing matters because the Maple Leafs’ coaching vacancy has become part of a broader roster and organizational reset. Toronto fired Craig Berube in May, and the search that followed has been framed as more than a simple replacement, with the organization weighing fit for its game plan and its player development priorities.

As that second phase begins, several names have already fallen away due to moves elsewhere. Reports indicate Manny Malhotra has accepted a head coaching job with the Vancouver Canucks, and Peter Laviolette was hired by the Los Angeles Kings, both of which removed at least some widely discussed contenders from Toronto’s list.

Other potential candidates also appear unlikely to land in Toronto. David Carle has been reported to have respectfully declined an interview, and at least one senior coaching name is described as not a match for the Maple Leafs’ direction. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has said he does not see Bruce Cassidy fitting Toronto, making a reunion between coach and franchise less plausible.

On the internal side, Mike Van Ryn is mentioned as having interviewed, and he remains a candidate being considered. Van Ryn is part of the Maple Leafs’ coaching structure and serves in a defensive role as an assistant, which gives the organization an in-house option that would also reflect a willingness to make changes internally rather than only looking to the outside.

What to watch next is how quickly Toronto converts this narrowed list into interviews that lead to a decision, particularly if the remaining group includes a mix of proven NHL head coaches and internal staff. The team’s next announcement, whether it is an expanded interview schedule or a final selection, will likely shape how early Toronto can begin setting expectations for systems, player usage, and the leadership tone heading into the next season.

Because coaching searches are often fluid, and because some details around candidacies can shift quickly once other jobs are filled, additional reporting will be needed to confirm the full set of “serious remaining” candidates and what each one is believed to offer the Maple Leafs as the process tightens.