Maple Leafs weigh Roy and Laviolette after Carle exit

David Carle has been ruled out of the Maple Leafs’ coaching hunt, leaving the team to lean toward experience—an opening that has kept Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette firmly in the mix. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ next coach decision could land early nex

David Carle is no longer part of the Maple Leafs’ coaching conversation, and the way the search has shifted afterward says as much about the team’s priorities as the names still standing.

University of Denver head coach David Carle is out of the running, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. Friedman framed it simply: the Leafs had taken their shot on Carle, and assuming he is out, they would look toward experience.

The Leafs, Friedman said, conducted about 15 virtual interviews. In the same reporting, he noted that they had spoken to the likes of veteran coaches Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette, with both “firmly in the mix” on Friday.

Roy is a Hall of Fame goalie and has already been around the league’s coaching churn this season. He coached with the New York Islanders before being replaced by Pete DeBoer in March. Over five full seasons as an NHL coach—three with the Colorado Avalanche and two with the Islanders—Roy has compiled a 227-170-46 record in 443 games. He reached the playoffs twice but failed to win a round.

Laviolette’s profile is different, built on a long track record across multiple franchises. Friedman said he is firmly in the mix, and he described Laviolette as 61. The coaching résumé includes two seasons in charge of the New York Rangers from 2023 to 2025. reaching the conference final in Year 1 before missing the playoffs. Behind the bench. Laviolette has worked across 1. 594 games. coaching the Islanders. Carolina Hurricanes. Philadelphia Flyers. Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. and he won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.

In Friedman’s telling, the Maple Leafs’ turn toward experience also connects to how their hockey staff has been changing. He pointed to (general manager) John Chayka being out of the NHL for a while and now being back. and (senior executive advisor) Mats Sundin not having been in the NHL in a day-to-day capacity before moving into a major decision-making role.

That helps explain why “you’re hearing names like Roy and Laviolette,” Friedman said.

The rest of the field narrows too. Friedman reported that Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Jeff Halpern interviewed for the Maple Leafs’ job but is now out. Friedman also added that ex-NHLer Eric LaCroix. who works in the Leafs’ scouting department. is the son of Pierre LaCroix. a figure who was previously Roy’s agent and was also Roy’s general manager with the Colorado Avalanche.

While Toronto weighs its options, another coaching vacancy is nearing a potential turning point. Friedman said a decision on the next Los Angeles Kings head coach could come early next week. The job is down to interim coach D.J. Smith and former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft.

Friedman didn’t suggest a wide-open market beyond those names when asked about further possibilities, saying, “If there’s anyone else, I don’t know about them.” Outside the Maple Leafs and Kings, only the Oilers hold a vacancy behind the bench.

Maple Leafs David Carle Patrick Roy Peter Laviolette Jeff Halpern John Chayka Mats Sundin Eric LaCroix Pierre LaCroix Los Angeles Kings D.J. Smith Jay Woodcroft Edmonton Oilers 32 Thoughts