The shocking twist that cost the Maple Leafs Peter Laviolette at the last moment

For a brief moment, the Toronto Maple Leafs thought they had their next head coach. But then, it all changed quickly.

According to a report from FAN590, later highlighted by LeafsLatest, veteran NHL coach Peter Laviolette was in Toronto as recently as last Friday, with preparations reportedly underway for an official announcement early the following week.

The expectation was that Laviolette would become the next bench boss of the Maple Leafs.

Instead, he ended up getting hired in Los Angeles.

The report suggests that sometime over the weekend, the Kings intensified their pursuit of Laviolette and ultimately convinced him to join their organization rather than Toronto’s.

If true, it represents a significant twist in what has become one of the NHL’s most closely watched coaching searches.

Laviolette would have brought exactly the type of résumé many believed Toronto was looking for. The Stanley Cup-winning coach has guided multiple franchises through difficult transitions and has long been known for demanding accountability from veteran players.

For a Maple Leafs team searching for a new identity after another disappointing season, Laviolette appeared to check many of the boxes.

Instead, Toronto finds itself continuing its search.

The organization remains linked to several notable candidates, including Jay Woodcroft, David Carle, Patrick Roy, and potentially Bruce Cassidy should the Vegas Golden Knights eventually grant permission for discussions. Even former NHL star Joe Pavelski has surfaced in speculation surrounding the position.

For now, however, the most intriguing part of the story may be how close Toronto reportedly came to landing Laviolette.

Because if this report is accurate, the Maple Leafs weren’t beaten to the punch months ago, but they have lost their preferred candidate just days before introducing him, and to a serious contender.