16 Head Coaches for the Toronto Maple Leafs to Consider Hiring
By James Tanner
Jon Cooper
Much llke Rod Brind'Amour, the Leafs would be highly advised to wait on Cooper before acting. If he becomes available, he's the clear choice.
Cooper has coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to two Stanley Cups and three Finals appearances in the last several years.
He has experience getting the most out of offensive players, and he runs the team that the Leafs want to be.
There is no better option, but the fact is, he isn't likely to hit the market. Still, it is necessary to wait to see if he does become available.
Mike Sullivan
Sullivan is, with Brind'Amour and Cooper, one of the three best coaches in today's NHL. He is currently employed in Pittsburgh, where I think we all expect Sheldon Keefe to end up.
Since that is the case, the Leafs should be waiting until they know for sure whether MIke Sullivan is available before making a move.
Alain Vigneault
I'm only kidding! The Leafs can't hire Todd McLellan because he was the coach of the San Jose Sharks while they were essentially last decades version of the Toronto Maple Leafs - i.e the best team in the NHL that can't win in the playoffs.
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For all the same reasons you can't hire McLellan, you can't hire Vigneault either. The Circa 2011 Cancuks are the missing link between the Circa 2008 Sharks and the Toronto Maple Leafs of today.