Significant Update On Jay Woodcroft Candidacy For Maple Leafs Coaching Job

Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft

The Toronto Maple Leafs' head coaching search has already taken a number of twists and turns, and in-person interviews aren't even fully underway yet.

It was just two days ago that we heard from a couple of insiders that the Leafs were granted permission to interview former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft (currently an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks), and that he was a 'frontrunner' for the job in Toronto.

But now we're hearing that not only is an interview not coming this week as reported, but the Leafs might not have any interest in him at all. Elliotte Friedman revealed the latest on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday:

I understand there were reports earlier this week that he was going to interview in Toronto. I don't believe that's the case.
I do not believe Toronto has asked permission to talk to him, and I think it's quite possible Toronto doesn't ask to talk to him... I've heard, for whatever reason, he will not be interviewing in Toronto.

So that appears to be that, on one of the Leafs' potential candidates.

Woodcroft a strong candidate for Kings, but not Maple Leafs

Friedman does admit that Woodcroft has indeed interviewed in LA for the Kings' opening, and is a "legit" contender there, he says, as is the incumbent DJ Smith.

In a season and a half in Edmonton (that actually covered parts of three seasons), Woodcroft posted an impressive 79-41-13 mark and led them to the Western Conference Final in 2022. But he was fired after a slow start (3-9-1) to the 2023-24 season, and he was fired and replaced by the since-fired Kris Knoblauch.

Woodcroft joined Joel Quenneville's staff in Anaheim this season as an assistant coach, and helped guide them to their first playoff appearance in eight years this spring.

Report: David Carle has no visits to Toronto planned

Of another notable potential candidate that's been tied to Toronto, David Carle of the University of Denver, the Friedge says, "From what I can tell right now, he has no visits to any (NHL) teams scheduled."