- Friedman: Leafs and David Carle had an initial conversation about Toronto’s vacant head coach job
- Three-time NCAA champ at Denver, plus back-to-back World Junior golds with Team USA
- Watch the 32 Thoughts video and read below for the rest of Toronto’s coaching short list
The Maple Leafs are kicking the tires on a college coach.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Toronto has had an initial conversation with University of Denver head coach David Carle about its vacant bench job.
“I’ve heard it has simply been an initial conversation to gauge his interest,” Friedman said. “I believe they will talk again, but I would caution anyone against running with it too hard or feeling that he’s a favorite.”
Watch the full 32 Thoughts video here:
Carle is the splashiest college name available, and it’s not close. He just won his third NCAA title in five years at Denver, beating Wisconsin 2-1 in Las Vegas back in April. He’s also coached Team USA to back-to-back World Junior gold medals in 2024 and 2025.
The 36-year-old has run the Denver bench since 2018-19, when he took over for Jim Montgomery. He’s been with the program in some form since 2008, after a heart condition ended his playing career. Carle also signed a multi-year extension with the Pioneers last May, which means any team prying him loose has to make it worth his while.
Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek said on his show that it would take “life-changing” money to get Carle into the NHL. He has young kids and has been picky about which openings he’ll even take a meeting on. He pulled out of the Chicago Blackhawks search last spring.
Toronto’s short list is not short. Friedman has also pointed to former Leafs assistant Manny Malhotra, who just won a Calder Cup with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks, and former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, who is currently a Ducks assistant.
Bruce Cassidy is the name every Leafs fan has bookmarked. Carle landed at No. 2 on our list of top five candidates to replace Craig Berube.
John Chayka fired Berube on May 13 after a 32-36-14 season ended Toronto’s playoff streak. Berube has already been granted permission to interview with the Oilers, so there is no awkward overlap on either side. Chayka has said the search would be “wide and deep,” and the call to Carle fits the brief.
If the Leafs land the 36-year-old, they’re betting their No. 1 overall pick and one of the youngest core resets in franchise history on a coach who has never been behind an NHL bench. If they don’t, this is still a tell about what Chayka wants. Fresh face. Development guy. Someone other coaches in the league don’t already know inside and out.
Carle is in no rush. Chayka is.
