Hockey Patrol has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Peter DeBoer's name is circulating as uncertainty surrounds the Maple Leafs coaching situation
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Former head coach Peter DeBoer's name has popped up yet again as a potential option to replace Craig Berube, and one analyst feels it's time to pull the trigger.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs firing assistant coach Marc Savard on Monday, it could be the first domino to fall; setting off a chain reaction of changes that could affect head coach Craig Berube.
His job isn't necessarily the safest right now, and while it seems like Toronto is hedging their bets on Savard's replacement being the solution, another string of failures is bound to put him on the chopping block.
If he does end up being let go, that means the team needs a new head coach and former Stars head coach Peter DeBoer keeps coming up as the best potential replacement for Berube.
Toronto may not be able to entice Peter DeBoer
However, while some believe that he is the right man for the job, and that he should be called upon sooner rather than later to help Toronto; it may not be that easy.
According to David Pagnotta on Leafs Morning Take, he explained that DeBoer is comfortable with his current spot and a move to Toronto would seem unlikely:
What I've heard on DeBoer, he's comfortable right now. He's still getting paid the rest of the season and right now he's focused on Team Canada. He's chilling.
But I have been told if he were to consider an NHL job again, it's a team that you know; he's the final piece, he's the one who can take you over the top. But he wants to be part of a team that views him as the final piece.
Considering what this team [Toronto] is, and what he wants; I am not sure he would consider this based off what I've heard.
But I have been told if he were to consider an NHL job again, it's a team that you know; he's the final piece, he's the one who can take you over the top. But he wants to be part of a team that views him as the final piece.
Considering what this team [Toronto] is, and what he wants; I am not sure he would consider this based off what I've heard.
If Pagnotta is to be believed, that means that unless Toronto turns things around then DeBoer most likely won't join them. But if they are doing well, why fire the coach mid-season in the hopes a new one will make them better?
Who could Toronto target if not DeBoer?
So if the Maple Leafs are out on DeBoer who does that leave? They could go with an internal option like promoting assistant Mike Van Ryn to head coach, or even give Derek Lalonde the reins to see what he can offer.
But if not, they are going to have limited options. They could pursue older veterans like John Tortorella, Peter Laviolette or Bruce Boudreau but there's no indication any of them are looking to come back; and the former two could cause a lot of friction with the media.
Toronto could spring for a coach overseas like Gerard Gallant or Guy Boucher. Gallant has a ton of NHL experience and is well liked, meanwhile Boucher is no stranger to the Maple Leafs and could be a huge help to their power play as well.
We're long and away from the years of Pat Quinn and Pat Burns, and it's going to be really hard to find the right coach to wrangle the stars into shape.
If it's not Craig Berube, it's someone else. But does that really solve the team's real issues?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 1154 ANSWERS Peter DeBoer's name is circulating as uncertainty surrounds the Maple Leafs coaching situation Should Toronto hire Peter DeBoer or somebody else to replace Craig Berube? | ||