This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Boston Bruins assistant coach John Gruden as head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
No... not Jon Gruden of NFL fame and infamy, but rather John Gruden the former NHL player turned assistant coach. Gruden had been with the Boston Bruins last season as a part of Jim Montgomery's staff and was an assistant coach with the New York Islanders for four years prior. His last stint as a head coach came with the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, where he guided them to a J. Ross Robertson Cup as the OHL's championship team before bowing out in the semi-final game of the Memorial Cup.
"We're very pleased to name John as the Head Coach of the Toronto Marlies," said Ryan Hardy, Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager said in a prepared statement. "John has supported the development and performance of his players throughout his coaching career while delivering team success at every level. His resume from the U.S. National Team Development Program to the OHL and eventually the NHL has armed him with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to both players and staff."
The 53 year old Gruden likely won't threaten Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe much, should Keefe and the Leafs falter to start the season. After all, Gruden hasn't been head coach for a single game in the NHL and should Keefe need replacing, I can't see the Leafs going with a rookie head coach as his replacement. Rather, Gruden will provide the organization with some depth in the AHL and will help the team's prospects develop into full time NHL players. Honestly, this is a smart move from the organization but I did wonder if they had planned on going with a veteran head coach in the AHL over someone like Gruden. An experienced coach presumably would have the capability to parachute into the Leafs should Keefe be shown the door at some point this season. That doesn't look to be the plan though in Toronto and, honestly, you could do a lot worse than Gruden as your AHL head coach. Solid hire by GM Brad Treliving.
