Joe Pavelski confirms Maple Leafs head coaching interest

Following a dismal year for the Toronto Maple Leafs, multiple changes were made at the executive level. Not only was GM Brad Treliving given his walking papers late in the season, but he would be replaced by former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka, a move that has still caused a ripple of controversy.

Meanwhile, Chayka’s first major move as Maple Leafs GM was to dismiss head coach Craig Berube, who was only the second coach since 2004 to lead the Maple Leafs to a series victory in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While there have been a multitude of potential candidates to replace Berube discussed by NHL Insiders, one of the more surprising names that has emerged is former Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski, who has no coaching experience at any level.

According to San Jose Sharks insider Sheng Peng, who covered Pavelski during his many years as a member of the Sharks, Pavelski has confirmed his interest in the Leafs’ coaching job and there are ongoing discussions regarding a potential hire.

“Pavelski says he’s had a couple discussions with the Leafs about the head coach job, talks still ongoing,” Peng wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Selected with the 205th overall pick by the Sharks in the loaded 2003 NHL Draft, Pavelski spent several seasons as a member of the Sharks, helping them reach the Western Conference Final in 2010, 2011, and 2019, along with the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. He then joined the Dallas Stars, where he would play the final handful of seasons of his career.

He retired with 476 goals and 592 assists in 1,332 career NHL games.