NHL Rumours: Blues-Wild Blockbuster, Foote or Malhotra for Canucks & Carle as Leafs Coach? – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues, who reportedly had discussions at the trade deadline surrounding Robert Thomas, and the offer general manager Bill Guerin had on the table.

Next, we look at the Vancouver Canucks and their complicated coaching situation. Just one year after hiring Adam Foote, will they replace him with Manny Malhotra?

Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs are also looking for a new head coach, and David Carle has been talked about a lot, but can they entice him enough to bring him in?

Guerin Offered Package Including Wallstedt, Yurov for Thomas

Guerin showed the hockey world that he isn’t afraid to make the changes necessary to improve his roster. Adding Quinn Hughes wasn’t cheap, sending three high-end young players and a first-round pick. Trades like that don’t happen very often, and Guerin almost pulled off a second one just weeks later.

Looking at the Wild’s roster, it is clear that the middle of the ice was going to be a priority. On the wings, on defense, and in goal, they are in a very good place. At centre, they have some great players, but none of whom fit the bill as an elite first-line centre, and their top option, Joel Eriksson Ek, is leading the way with just 51 points for that position.

Thomas was linked to pretty much every team that was eyeing a playoff spot. The Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Utah Mammoth seemed to be some of the front-runners, but all it takes is one phone call to lead the way there.

Michael Russo of The Athletic wrote, “The Wild made a pitch for Thomas at the deadline, per league sources, dangling Wallstedt and Yurov as part of a package. The St. Louis Blues said no.” (from ‘Wild GM Bill Guerin’s summer to-do list: Pursue No. 1 center, decide on UFAs, extend Quinn Hughes’, The Athletic, May 15, 2026)

That deal would likely be off the table at this point. Following the trade deadline, the Wild were supported by Wallstedt’s .930 save percentage, and took the starting role for the playoffs, where he posted a .909 save percentage, which was tarnished by the 9-6 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the second round.

Gustavsson is a great goaltender, but he has seemingly been passed in the depth chart. Would the Wild be happy to bring both back next season? Of course, but Wallstedt’s play has potentially made Gustavsson the vulnerable one.

The Canucks have just undergone a major front office revamp, but there is still a big question mark surrounding the coaching position.

The club will have two choices. Will they keep Foote and risk losing Malhotra to another team, or will they admit failure and replace Foote after just one season?

With the new regime taking over, it could be an advantage as none of the people involved were a part of the hiring of Foote. They can be much more objective than the team that hired him could have been.

Foote was a phenomenal hockey player and is working on his career as a coach. He was put in a nearly impossible position to succeed in his first year with the Canucks, and in many other circumstances, they would likely be comfortable moving forward with him behind the bench.

The pressure coming from Malhotra is what throws a wrench into things. Malhotra is slated to become one of the next first-time NHL coaches, and with multiple job openings at the moment, teams will surely be calling to speak with him.

The Canucks could decline other teams’ requests to speak with him regarding their job openings, though that doesn’t always sit well with the candidate and could fracture the relationship.

Jeff Marek, on an episode of Sekeras & Price, stated that he believes there will be a new coach in Vancouver and that Malhotra makes the most sense.

Could the Maple Leafs Bring in David Carle from Denver?

Speaking of first-time NHL coaches, the Maple Leafs could be the latest team to try to bring Carle in as their coach, though we know it will take a lot of convincing to get Carle to leave the NCAA.

Carle has spent 17 seasons with the University of Denver in multiple coaching roles, which include the last eight as head coach. He is frequently mentioned among the best coaches outside of the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks reportedly had an aggressive pursuit for Carle last year, and there were rumours that they were going to pay him very well. Elliotte Friedman reported that Carle withdrew himself from contention for the position.

One recurring note with Carle is that he has a young family and doesn’t seem too keen on moving far. Any time his name comes up for a coaching gig, this is mentioned. What would it take to get him to Toronto?

Sportsnet’s Luke Fox writes, “Our understanding is that Carle wants big money and a voice in roster construction if and when he makes the leap to the NHL…”

Would the new front office in Toronto be willing to accommodate that?