Maple Leafs reach out to legendary head coach in coaching search.

Newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka took a significant risk last week when he announced that the team would move on without the services of now former head coach Craig Berube.

That immediately put Chayka on the clock to find an adequate replacement and with relatively little time to do so before teams begin to prepare in earnest for things like the National Hockey League Entry Draft and the start of free agency on July 1st. While it sounds like the Maple Leafs will be casting a wide net in this coaching search, recent reports have indicated that Chayka may be eyeing one of the most respected coaches as Berube's replacement.

On a recent podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Leafs were exploring the possibility of bring on David Carle.

"The one thing I can tell you is there has been at least initial contact between the Maple Leafs and University of Denver head coach David Carle," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Carle has worked within the University of Denver's hockey program for nearly two decades, first as an assistant before eventually taking over as head coach for the 2018-19 season. Since then Carle has taken the University of Denver Pioneers to 3 consecutive finals appearances, including 2 championship victories, while also making waves in international play.

Carle was tasked with leading the U.S. World Junior team and achieved great success there as well, leading that program to back to back gold medals in 2024 and 2025.

"I've heard it has simply been an initial conversation to gauge his interest," said Friedman.

While the Maple Leafs only initially touched base with Carle, it sounds like it won't be long before they speak again.

"I believe they will talk again," said Friedman.

Whether or not that conversation will lead to anything more though remains to be seen.

"At the very least I can say that I've heard there's been initial contract between Carle and the Leafs, just to see if there's room for a more in depth conversation," concluded Friedman.

Carle has been with the University of Denver program for so long, and has experienced so much success there, that it would likely take an incredible offer to lure him away from his current position.

Friedman also clarified that Carle won't be the only name the Maple Leafs speak to during this search, with the insider indicating that the team intends to use what little time it has to conduct as extensive a search as possible.

"Word is its premature to name anybody as a favorite right now, they are determined to take some time here," stated Friedman.