Report: It sounds like the Leafs have decided on their next head coach

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs are "working through" the process of hiring University of Denver coach David Carle as their next head coach.

The problem is that the Leafs aren't alone in their interest for Carle. There are reports that the Colorado Avalanche, on the brink of being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights, might consider a coaching change and Carle is their top candidate. Given that Carle has been in Denver since 2009, it's believed that the Avs have the inside track.

All of this is to say that, even if the Leafs have decided on Carle as their next head coach, they'll have work to do to convince him.

From Friedman on the Donnie and Dhali podcast earlier today:

"I think everybody's trying to gauge what the possibility is really," he said. "I do think Toronto wants to make Carle at least think about them, and see if they can do that."

Meanwhile, Friedman reports that he doesn't believe former Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy is in the Leafs' plans.

"I think Bruce Cassidy's stock is still good," Friedman started. "But I'm not convinced that Cassidy is going to end up in Toronto. I don't even know that the Maple Leafs have asked (the Golden Knights) to talk to him, to be honest," Friedman briefed."