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UPDATE - 5 pm
Introducing the 32nd head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Berube 🔵⚪️
There are a variety of reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be zeroing in on their next head coach or that they have indeed made a decision, but the potential availability of a prominent bench boss could still be a factor in GM Brad Treliving’s final decision.
Multiple sources are telling Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that former Philadelphia and St. Louis head coach Craig Berube is “far down the road” of being the Leafs next head coach. While not being etched in stone, Friedman said it would be surprising if Berube is not hired by Toronto. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff is reporting that Berube will be named Leafs coach and that an announcement could be expected soon.
The club reportedly also spoke to former San Jose and Los Angeles head coach Todd McLellan, and former Rangers and Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant will get a look.
With the loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday, the possibility of Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour being available may complicate things, but there is still an expectation that Hurricanes ownership and GM Don Waddell reportedly want to extend Brind’Amour, but if a deal cannot be reached, it is possible that he could be looking for a landing spot and that teams like the Leafs, New Jersey, and Seattle could be holding off on deciding until they get some clarity of if he’d be willing to go elsewhere.
Three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville’s name has not been mentioned since the process to find the replacement for Sheldon Keefe began eight days ago. Quenneville’s availability would be contingent on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman giving clearance, and there have not been any indicators that the league has been approached about doing that.
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KHL forward Maxim Tsyplakov signed a one-year entry-level deal with the New York Islanders on Thursday. The 25-year-old spoke to Toronto and Montreal, but the 6’2”. 189 lb. forward, who scored 31 goals with Moscow Spartak last season opted to sign in New York.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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