Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Candidates that Could Replace Paul McFarland

Candidate #3: Bruce Boudreau, Free Agent

As yes, you already knew good ole Brucey was going to be on this list.

A former Toronto Maple Leafs player and not so subtle massive fan of the team, Boudreau is one of the top coaches without a job today.

Now, it’s a longshot to convince a coach with the resume of Boudreau’s to take a job as an assistant, but there are multiple factors that could play into the Leafs favour.

For starters, let’s break down the current head coaching vacancies.

Each of Calgary, Dallas, Minnesota, New Jersey, and San Jose is operating with an interim head coach, plus the Seattle expansion franchise which will be looking to hire a head coach in the coming months.

We can immediately rule out Minnesota as they fired Boudreau. Calgary seems to like Geoff Ward and has made no indication they’ll be looking elsewhere. New Jersey rebounded under Alain Nasreddine, but have interviewed outside candidates Gerard Gallant and John Stevens. The Devils could be a contender but to this point haven’t been linked to Boudreau.

San Jose is a wild card, given their older and quickly declining roster. The players there love Bob Boughner, the current interim head coach, and their roster construction makes them a less than desirable landing spot.

The true threats lie in Dallas and Seattle.

The Stars are a team in their prime and only have a vacancy due to Jim Montgomery‘s off-ice issues. Rick Bowness may be the fit there, but I can’t imagine Boudreau passing on the Dallas gig if the offer were on the table. Similarly, Vegas’ immediate success makes the Seattle franchise an attractive one. Seattle will likely have their pick of the litter and if Boudreau is their guy, I doubt he says no.

Of course, there are the inevitable openings that will come open in the offseason as well that the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to fight with.

But take all of this into account, and there are two key factors that make the Leafs a contender for Boudreau regardless. Money and fandom.

Boudreau has made it no secret that he is still a Leafs fan when it doesn’t impact the club he currently works for. In fact, he’s said that nearly word for word publically.

If there were any team that could attract a name as big as Boudreau’s to be an assistant, it would be the Leafs. They have built-in attraction and deep pockets to make it work.

In terms of why the Toronto Maple Leafs would even want Boudreau on the bench, it’s hard to say no to that level of experience.

Though Hakstol has been a head coach in his own right, it pales in comparison to Boudreau’s 13 years as the main man on an NHL bench. Adding that kind of experience would help immensely to a staff that currently has just six years combined between them.

Boudreau has been successful everywhere he has gone as well, leading some of the best regular seasons teams over the past 15 years in Washington and Anaheim.

The heartbreak he has been on the wrong side of over his career in the playoffs certainly makes Boudreau even more hard-working and determined to get over the playoff hurdle.

If there were any place to do it, it might as well be back home.