Elliotte Friedman Shares Key Update on Maple Leafs' Coaching Search
After hiring John Chayka as their new general manager, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for a new head coach, with recent reports pointing to two veteran names under consideration for the job.
Toronto fired head coach Craig Berube before the end of a disappointing 2025-26 season in which the Leafs not only failed to make the playoffs, but also finished with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette, both of whom were fired from their former NHL teams within the past 14 months, are part of the Leafs' interview process.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs coaching search is getting more interesting," Dreger reported on X on Wednesday. "Sources say Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette are a part of this week's stage of the interview process."
Further details emerged from Elliotte Friedman's appearance on Sportsnet's "The Fan" on Wednesday, in which he discussed the process and Roy's standing among candidates.
"I hear Patrick Roy interviewed really well," Friedman said. "The word on the street is that Roy's interview was really good. So I think he's legit."
Friedman also reported on Wednesday's "32 Thoughts" podcast that Toronto "has conducted around 15 virtual interviews," confirming Dreger's report and naming Laviolette as one of the interviewees.
32 Thoughts Game 1 reaction...news, information & analysis podcast.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 3, 2026
Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm
Enjoy!
Roy most recently coached the New York Islanders for a total of 197 games, posting a 42-31-5 record this past season before being fired in early April, right before the end of the regular season. He previously coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons and won the Jack Adams Award in 2014.
Laviolette, meanwhile, has coached six NHL teams and won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. He most recently led the New York Rangers before being fired following the 2024-25 season after posting a 39-36-7 record and missing the playoffs.
While Toronto has not made any final decision, Friedman's comments suggest Roy has emerged as a serious contender, with the former Islanders coach seemingly sitting in a good position to land the job.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM.