• Moderators, please send me a PM if you are unable to access mod permissions. Thanks, Habsy.

The Official 2026 Off-Season Thread: Revenge of the Nerds

Yeah if you want experience Cassidy is sitting there. So it Woodcroft and they didn't interview either apparently.

Laviolette is fine but uninspiring. Roy is scary.
 
I'm a bit confused by all the reporting at this point tbh. It's a bit all over the place.

Kyper is reporting the Leafs really did want to hire Carle and Friedman also reported they were interested in Carle, but Friedman says experience was really important.
But they aren't even speaking to Cassidy or Woodcroft.
Pagnotta said they're talking to Dallas Eakins who has never coached an NHL team in the playoffs.
Mirtle had said early their list would be 30-40 people and had a lot of inexperienced names on it which surprised him.

Definitely feels like we're missing some puzzle pieces.
 
Vegas can't bar Cassidy after the finals are over. the Leafs will get their chance here shortly.


They can, actually.

If the contract says that he can’t interview for other coaching positions without their permission, and that they’re under no obligation to grant that permission , they can keep him out of the NHL for the remainder of his contract if they want. Which is two more years, I believe.

It’d be unprecedented, but so is what they’re doing now.
 
I'm a bit confused by all the reporting at this point tbh. It's a bit all over the place.

Kyper is reporting the Leafs really did want to hire Carle and Friedman also reported they were interested in Carle, but Friedman says experience was really important.
But they aren't even speaking to Cassidy or Woodcroft.
Pagnotta said they're talking to Dallas Eakins who has never coached an NHL team in the playoffs.
Mirtle had said early their list would be 30-40 people and had a lot of inexperienced names on it which surprised him.

Definitely feels like we're missing some puzzle pieces.


I still don’t think these guys have any clue what’s going on. I think we’re still in the “casting a wide net” phase of the search and there’s no point in reading too much into any of the specific names being reported.
 
When Friedman is unsure of the majority of names involved, they are keeping a tight lid on things. Its rare for him to have very minimal knowledge on such a big subject
 
I still don’t think these guys have any clue what’s going on. I think we’re still in the “casting a wide net” phase of the search and there’s no point in reading too much into any of the specific names being reported.
I hope so because Dallas Eakins, no that's OK, thanks. I'm good.
 
Friedman said explicitly the Leafs have not asked for permission to speak to Woodcroft.

Seravalli on the other hand says the Leafs have definitely talked to Woodcroft via zoom.

🤷‍♀️
 
Cassidy is the obvious choice.

Gallant behind him as a bit of a riskier play that could be the best one in the end.

I don’t have interest in any of the other names they’re reporting.
 
They can, actually.

If the contract says that he can’t interview for other coaching positions without their permission, and that they’re under no obligation to grant that permission , they can keep him out of the NHL for the remainder of his contract if they want. Which is two more years, I believe.

It’d be unprecedented, but so is what they’re doing now.

ok but why the hell would they do that
 
Back
Top