Bruce Cassidy is still seeking for a coaching position, as Michael DiStefano recently informed the Maple Leafs brass.
The timing is intentional. The pressure on Jim Hiller continues to rise after Toronto’s 5-2 home defeat to Minnesota on Thursday night.
With 18 points, the Maple Leafs were 8-11-2 prior to that game, and they had dropped their previous five games. Over the course of their final 10 games, they were also 3-7-0.
Bruins @ Canadiens NHL Game Recap for Thursday, November 12 –
Thursday gave the doubters additional fodder. In the loss, Anthony Stolarz made 21 saves on 25 shots, and Matthew Boldy recorded a hat trick for the Wild. The Leafs never recovered, even though Auston Matthews scored for Toronto.
Even hours after the game, Matthews’ description of Hiller’s post-game strategy in the Leafs locker room has not put an end to the inquiries regarding the bench.
DiStefano sent a brief statement to X, which served as a subtle reminder to Toronto’s decision-makers:
Cassidy’s playing career was brief, and his reputation as a coach is significant. All of his six NHL seasons with Chicago, during which he played 36 games, saw him finish with 4 goals and 13 assists.
Is a coaching change in Toronto truly in the works?
John Chayka, the general manager, would be the one to decide, and Hiller is still the head coach. DiStefano’s post is an external recommendation, not a Leafs search report.
However, the data breathe some fresh air into the notion. Toronto has a goal difference of -6, having scored 69 goals and let up 75. It’s 4-8-1 at home, which is where a team often lays the foundation for its season.
Hiller has not been hesitant to criticize players. He singled out Gavin McKenna after the 6-3 defeat to Colorado on Wednesday, and the AHL was brought up in the discussion.
The atmosphere in the room is uneasy when a coach publicly criticizes his newcomers while the club continues to lose games. Although changing him won’t remedy a blue line that is allowing chances or a goaltender that is facing 25 shots per night, the coach is often the first thing to move in the NHL.
Those who are discussing a shift hope it would occur before the Leafs fall farther behind in the Atlantic Division. With the very real choice of a sixth straight defeat, Toronto will host Edmonton on Saturday.
