Maple Leafs Linked To Former Oilers Bench Boss As Head Coach Candidate

It's already been a whirlwind of activity for the Toronto Maple Leafs' new front office of Johny Chayka and Mats Sundin. A lottery win, a coach firing, and the wild ride is just beginning.

The names are starting to come out of the woodwork as they launch the search for their next head coach. Craig Berube was fired this week, and a job that some would say is too onerous, and others would say is highly coveted, is now wide open.

According to insider Elliotte Friedman, speaking on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday, one of those names that's emerging as a candidate for the Leafs' job is a former Edmonton Oilers head coach.

I do think Jay Woodcroft is going to be intereviewed by Toronto... Definitely a candidate.

Woodcroft is currently an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, but previously served as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers for a season and a half, from early 2022 to late 2023. He took them to the Conference Finals in his first year, and the second round of the playoffs in his second postseason.

Woodcroft was known in Edmonton as having a strong analytical approach, and the ability to design high-octane offensive systems. Of course, having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl helps in that regard, but taking on a team with Auston Matthews and William Nylander could fit as well. As noted by Joshua Kloke in The Athletic, "Woodcroft is not afraid to let his top offensive dogs eat in the offensive zone, and you wonder if his approach could work wonders with Auston Matthews and William Nylander."

Kings & Leafs have interest in Jay Woodcroft

However, the Leafs wouldn't be the only team with some interest in Woodcroft as a potential head coaching candidate, notes Friedman.

"I would suspect (the LA Kings are) going to ask to speak to Jay Woodcroft. Nobody knows Woodcroft better than (Kings GM) Ken Holland."

Woodcroft served on the coaching staff with the Detroit Red Wings when Holland was the GM there in the 2000s, and the two worked even more closely in Edmonton, as GM and head coach in 2022 and 2023.