Could Maple Leafs pivot to experience with David Carle out of coaching mix?

The Toronto Maple Leafs' coaching search is beginning to narrow.

University of Denver head coach David Carle is out of the running, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday's edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

"I think the Maple Leafs were really interested in Carle and they took their shot on him, and assuming he is out, then I think they'll go for experience," Friedman said.

Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka told reporters Friday at the NHL Scouting Combine that the team have spoken with around 20 different candidates to this point.

"Probably about 20, where we've had some in-depth conversations, Zooms or in person," revealed Chayka.

"I want to make sure we're not missing anything, so we've cast a pretty wide net. Of those 20, not all are legitimate candidates for the next round, but a lot of really good people.

"(We) learned a lot, it's good coming in our position to hear different perspectives and kind of get a coaching perspective and breakdown of things and our style of play and where we stand, so it's been a really good process so far."

The Maple Leafs have also spoken to the likes of veterans Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette, as Friedman reported earlier this week.

Both Roy and Laviolette are firmly in the mix, he added Friday.

"I think they're legit," he said, noting that ex-NHLer Eric LaCroix, who works in the Leafs' scouting department, is the son of Pierre, who was previously Roy's agent as well as his general manager with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Maple Leafs may be interested in a coach with experience, given the makeup of their front office, Friedman said.

"(General manager) John Chayka has been out of the NHL for a while, now he's back. (Senior executive advisor) Mats Sundin has not been in the NHL in a day-to-day basis and now he's in a major decision-making role," Friedman said.

"I think the Maple Leafs have considered the possibility they need an experienced coach because of that, someone who's been around, someone who's been in the league a lot more on a day-to-day basis recently, and that's why I think you're hearing names like Roy and Laviolette."

Roy, the Hall of Fame goalie, coached this season with the New York Islanders before being replaced by Pete DeBoer in March. Over five full seasons as an NHL coach (three with the Avalanche, two with the Islanders), he holds a 227-170-46 record in 443 games, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to win a round.

Laviolette, 61, last helmed the New York Rangers for two seasons from 2023-25, reaching the conference final in Year 1 before missing the playoffs.

A veteran of 1,594 games behind the bench, Laviolette has also coached the Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. He won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.

Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Jeff Halpern interviewed for the Maple Leafs gig but is now out, Friedman reported.

Meanwhile, a decision on the next Los Angeles Kings head coach could come early next week, Friedman said.

The job is down to interim coach D.J. Smith and former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft.

"If there's anyone else, I don't know about them," Friedman said.

Outside of the Maple Leafs and Kings, only the Oilers hold a vacancy behind the bench.