Report: Surprising changes coming for Leafs' coaching staff

According to a report from TSN NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Toronto Maple Leafs' assistant coach Spencer Carbery is generating plenty of interest as a potential head coach around the league.

In particular, LeBrun cites the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks as having at least expressed interest in Carbery, while he speculates that the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Calgary Flames may also have interest in the 41 year old Carbery.

The Capitals connection seems the most intriguing as he served as head coach of the Capitals' AHL affiliate Hershey Bears from 2018 until 2021.

“Now that the Maple Leafs are out of the playoffs, there’s no question that teams will be reaching out about Toronto assistant coach Spencer Carbery, and I believe the Capitals, his old organization, have already sought permission to interview him for their vacant head coach position, although neither organization would confirm that Tuesday,” LeBrun wrote for The Athletic.

A couple months ago ESPN's Emily Kaplan also reported that the Capitals have/had interest in Carbery.

“A few respondents said to monitor Carbery as an option for the Capitals should they make a change,” Kaplan wrote then. “Carbery is thought highly of in the Caps organization after three years leading its top minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears.”

Carbery was interviewed by the San Jose Sharks in 2022 for their head coaching position, before they ultimately hired David Quinn. Last season he ran a Leafs powerplay that finished 2nd ranked in the entire NHL.

Carbery was in charge behind the bench of Hershey for three seasons. He amassed a 104-50-17 record with the Bears and had signed a multi-year extension with the team shortly until an NHL opportunity with the Leafs took him away from the organization.