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Joe Pavelski Confirms He Interviewed for Maple Leafs Head Coach Job

Chayka’s front office is weighing an unconventional pick that pairs Pavelski’s long NHL playing and playoff record with minimal professional coaching experience.

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Former player Joe Pavelski is introduced before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at the American Airlines Center.
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Overview

  • Pavelski said Thursday that he has held discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs and that he has interviewed for the head coaching vacancy, calling the process “very interesting and intriguing.”
  • The club has moved from a wide initial screening to in‑person interviews with a short list of finalists as new GM John Chayka leads a broader front‑office reset following recent leadership changes.
  • Pavelski played 18 NHL seasons and appeared in more than 200 playoff games, but his only coaching work was with Madison Capitals AAA youth teams in 2024–25 and 2025–26, so he has no prior professional coaching résumé.
  • The potential hire highlights a tradeoff the Leafs face between veteran bench experience and fresh leadership with strong player credibility, a path similar to other recent NHL hires of former stars.
  • A final decision has not been announced and the team continues in‑person interviews, with the choice expected to shape the Leafs’ identity, roster management and near‑term playoff prospects.