Rumour Roundup: Roy, Laviolette among 15 Maple Leafs coach interviews

The Toronto Maple Leafs promised a vast head-coaching search — and they're sticking to that.

Toronto has conducted around 15 virtual interviews as it looks for someone to replace Craig Berube, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday's 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

Among those interviewed was longtime NHL bench boss Peter Laviolette, per Friedman. Also interviewed was Hall of Fame goaltender and former Islanders coach Patrick Roy, Sportsnet can confirm.

Laviolette, 61, last helmed the New York Rangers for two seasons from 2023-2025, 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 New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. He won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.

Meanwhile, David Carle of the University of Denver could still be in the mix.

"I'm not 100 per cent certain about David Carle being out. Some other reporters seem to be very confident of that, and at this point in time, I have no reason to think any of them are wrong, I just haven't been told that specifically," Friedman said.

Kings down to two?

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Kings — who boast one of two other openings along with the Edmonton Oilers — could be down to interim coach D.J. Smith and ex-Oiler Jay Woodcroft, per Friedman.

"If there's someone else there, I'm not seeing it right now," Friedman said.

Smith led the Kings to an 11-6-6 stretch at the end of the season after taking over from Jim Hiller before being swept in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.

Woodcroft, an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks, spent two-plus seasons in Edmonton before he was fired 13 games into the 2023-24 campaign. He had a 79-41-13 record in that span and won three playoff series.

Fourth-liner hitting the market?

In free-agency news, Florida Panthers grinder and pending unrestricted free agent A.J. Greer may be hitting the open market come July 1, Friedman reported.

"I think there's going to be a lot of guys who kind of go out there and check and see what their market is on July 1 and decide if there's any chance they go back to where they are or they take something else," Friedman said.

Greer, a Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers, tallied 17 goals and 15 assists over 78 games last season while racking up 113 penalty minutes.

Campbell and Allvin sticking around in the PNW?

At the end of April, the Seattle Kraken announced that assistant coach Jessica Campbell would be leaving the organization.

Campbell made history as the first woman to become a full-time assistant coach in the NHL, overseeing the Kraken's forwards and power play for two seasons.

Per Friedman, the Vancouver Canucks "may have some interest" in Campbell as he's heard her name is "on their radar."

The Kraken could also look to bring in a former Canucks staffer in Patrik Allvin.

The Canucks dismissed Allvin from his role as general manager in mid-April after three and a half seasons. They appointed Ryan Johnson as his successor.

"I've heard the Kraken have interest in Allvin," said Friedman, adding Allvin knows general manager Jason Botterill from their time with the Pittsburgh Penguins.