Toronto Maple Leafs New Head Coach Candidates
By James Tanner
![Jan 16, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Jan 16, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/657e0d4480c969621e37fe01b1df840b621ec6641f3b2690d60324144c34fe13.jpg)
Claude Julien
Claude Julien should be the top candidate if the Toronto Maple Leafs do need a new coach.
He is 63 and last coached for the Canadiens in 2020. He was their coach for five years, and it’s not his fault they had a crap roster the entire time. He was not the Habs’ coach when they defeated the Leafs and went to the Finals.
He also previously coached in Boston where he was the coach for nine years, and won a Stanley Cup.
Before that he had stops in New Jersey and Montreal (the first time).
Julien has a Stanley Cup and is known as a great offensive strategist, something I think would fit really well with a team that has Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
I am generally against recycling the same guys over and over, and I do like to see young hot-shots with new ideas get a chance, so I am not opposed to the Leafs hiring a rookie coach, or someone I’ve never heard of before.
However, I am a big fan of Julien and if you’re going with an established name, I think he’s the best option. (All coaching info from wikipedia.com).