Friedman: Maple Leafs, David Carle held 'initial conversations' about interest in head coaching role

Toronto Maple Leafs are performing due diligence while searching for a new head coach. No favorite is identified at this stage, and initial conversations are being used to gauge interest. Reports indicate at least initial contact between the Maple Leafs and University of Denver head coach David Carle. The contact is described as preliminary, with further talks expected, and caution is urged against treating Carle as a frontrunner. From the Leafs’ perspective, Carle is viewed as the best coach outside the NHL, with an age profile suited to modern leadership. He is also seen as able to connect the current core led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander with younger players developing in the league.

""The word is that it's premature to name anybody as a favourite right now. They are determined to take some time here. The one thing I can tell you is that there has been at least initial contact between the Maple Leafs and University of Denver head coach David Carle. I don't want anyone to get carried away with this. I think it's simply an initial conversation. The coaches like to talk, everybody likes to talk about who's going for what. I've heard it's simply been an initial conversation to gage his interest. I believe they will talk again, but I would caution anyone against running with it too hard, or feeling he's a favourite. I think the Maple Leafs are determined not to rush into this, and talk to a lot of people. I've heard there's initial contact between Carle and the Leafs, to see if there's room for a more in-depth conversation.""

"The case for Carle, from the Leafs' vantage point, appears to be rather simple: he's the best coach outside of the NHL, he's 36 and considered to be a perfect voice for the modern age, he can bridge both timelines where Auston Matthews and William Nylander lead the existing core, while Gavin McKenna, Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan find their footing in the league, with a clear track record of winning."

"Carle appeared on the May 7 edition of Leafs Morning Take, where he likened McKenna to Nikita Kucherov."

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