Both of the Maple Leafs top coaching targets are gone after David Carle said the timing is not right

Insiders have debunked rumors about Denver head coach David Carle leaving the NCAA for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

David Carle is not leaving the University of Denver for the Toronto Maple Leafs head coaching position, at least not now.

Reports began swirling after Toronto Star writer Jonah Sigel suggested Saturday night that Carle was ready to take the job. Two of hockey's most credible insiders pushed back on that reporting Sunday.

David Pagnotta reported Carle spoke with Toronto but is not ready to jump to the NHL, and Frank Seravalli reported Carle never formally interviewed. The likeliest path for Carle to the NHL, per Pagnotta, is the Colorado Avalanche, a job that would keep him close to Denver.

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Seravalli also indicated that Carle appears interested in remaining in college hockey, with not even the Leafs opening swaying him from Denver.

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Carle told Toronto the timing is not right which matches reports he is waiting on the Colorado job

Considered one of the NCAA's top coaches, and one of the most coveted non-NHLers coaching, David Carle is viewed as a possible HC in wait, but his goal may be to remain in college.

Carle, who has already won three NCAA championships, is someone who hasn't sought the spotlight, and Toronto makes for a complicated fit for someone wanting the less media attention he gets at Denver, less of a collegiate hockey market despite their success being westward of the NCAA's leading men's hockey programs.

It was reported by David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period' earlier in the week that the likeliest scenario for Carle to move up to the NHL is with the Colorado Avalanche.

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It's a situation that would keep Carle in the Denver area, but would also place him in charge of a contending roster with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, & Martin Necas.

Woodcroft is out per Friedman and Carle is out too so Chayka is running low on obvious names before the draft

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, new GM John Chayka is running out of candidates for their next head coach with David Carle seemingly out of the mix, or unlikely to come over.

With Jay Woodcroft also appearing to be out of contention and Bruce Cassidy not speaking with Toronto, the Leafs potential top coaching names lessen with the top candidates out.

Toronto still has options for their next head coach, namely recently interviewed assistant coaches Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde, neither favorites for the role. One named believed to be of interest internally, but not having spoken with, is Kitchener Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have their general manager locked up, but have struggled to find the head coach needed to put the focus into the players rather than the staff, with their options looking thinner and thinner as the days pass.

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