The case for Jay Woodcroft as Maple Leafs' next head coach

"Jay Woodcroft took over for Dave Tippett in February 2022 and was replaced by Kris Knoblauch in November 2023. It was a surprisingly short coaching tenure for a man who was behind the bench for what was far and away McDavid's best offensive season. In his one full season under Woodcroft, which was 2022-23, McDavid scored 64 goals and ended up with 153 points. And it didn't stop with him; the Oilers had three players finish with over 100 points that year."

"Leon Draisitl scored 52 goals and finished with 128 points, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hit the 100-point mark for the first time in his career at 104 total points. The Oilers as a whole fell in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights that season, losing in six games. Woodcroft took two years off after being fired by the Oilers in 2023-24, making his return to the NHL in 2025-26 as an assistant coach on Joel Quenneville's staff with the Anaheim Ducks."

"The Ducks made the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, advancing to the second round after defeating, ironically enough, the Oilers in the first round. They fell to the Golden Knights in six games, which could get the ball rolling on recruiting Woodcroft for the gig in Toronto. Because Woodcroft's stint with Edmonton was so short, there was a growing sentiment in Edmonton that Woodcroft's firing was more an instance of somebody having to fall on the sword."

Toronto is seeking a new head coach for the third time during the Auston Matthews era. Edmonton has had frequent coaching changes, including Jay Woodcroft, who replaced Dave Tippett in February 2022 and was replaced by Kris Knoblauch in November 2023. In Woodcroft’s full season, 2022-23, Connor McDavid scored 64 goals and 153 points, with Leon Draisaitl totaling 52 goals and 128 points and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins reaching 104 points. Edmonton lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in the second round. After being fired, Woodcroft took two years off and returned in 2025-26 as an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks, who reached the second round before losing to the Golden Knights in six games.

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