On the Leafs’ coaching hunt, Rielly and Norway’s Koblar

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Some Maple Leafs thoughts as the calendar hits the last weekend of May …

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What’s to make of the Leafs’ coaching search?

Just over two weeks have passed since the Leafs fired Craig Berube on May 13.

Considering the amount of speculation that has resulted, it feels like it has been months since Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka sent Berube on his way.

The latest rumours had the Leafs preparing to interview Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft, possibly this week.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the top hockey insider, threw a bucket of water on that idea on Friday morning. On the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman told co-host Kyle Bukauskas that he did not believe the Leafs have asked the Ducks for permission to speak to Woodcroft and thinks it’s possible the Leafs won’t ask to talk to Woodcroft.

There could be some movement on the Leafs coaching front in the coming days in Buffalo, where Chayka is expected to hunker down at the annual scouting combine.

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Recall what Chayka said when he met with media to discuss the firing of Berube, that the club would take its time with the search for a new coach and that it would be “the most critical decision” as a GM.

As rumours continue to fill the void, there doesn’t appear to be any announcement around the corner.

Where do things stand with defenceman Morgan Rielly?

The Leafs’ plan going into the world men’s hockey championship, where Rielly is playing for Canada for the first time since 2016, was to give the veteran defenceman the opportunity to enjoy the tournament before having discussions regarding his future.

That hasn’t changed.

Rielly has three assists in Canada’s eight games and will try to help the team beat Finland on Saturday in one of the event’s semifinals. A win in that game and Canada will play Switzerland or Norway, competing in the other semifinal, for gold on Sunday in Zurich. The losers of the semis will play for bronze.

Rielly has four years remaining on his current contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million US. A full no-movement clause is in place for each of the next two seasons.

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If the sides agree that a change of scenery is best, the Leafs will have to have a solid Plan B in place in the event that they trade Rielly.

His defensive warts aside, the simple fact is that Rielly has averaged more than 22 minutes a game for the Leafs in 13 seasons. That kind of ice time isn’t replaced easily.

Even if the Leafs, for example, sign Darren Raddysh in free agency, they’re still going to address defensive-zone issues of which Rielly has been a part, but certainly not the only guilty party.

William Nylander said in a video posted to his YouTube channel earlier this week that his desire is to stay in Toronto. The Leafs reportedly have had positive talks with captain Auston Matthews regarding the team’s future.

A clearer idea in regard to Rielly’s future could come not long after he returns from the world championship.

Should we be re-evaluating the Leafs’ prospect pool?

The common line for a while now is that the Leafs don’t have much coming down the pipeline in terms of prospects.

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A couple of potential future Leafs are throwing a curveball at that narrative.

First, there’s forward Tinus Luc Koblar, Toronto’s second-round pick, 64th overall, in the 2025 draft.

Koblar has shone for Norway at the world championship, scoring six goals in eight games while recording three assists. Put whatever stock in the worlds that you want — we know that many of the best players for each country are not participating — the fact that Koblar, at the age of 18, has had such success has been a revelation.

The production comes after Koblar was named the top forward in the under-20 world championship Division 1 Group A at Christmastime, guiding Norway to a promotion to the world junior next winter in Edmonton and Red Deer.

In 47 games with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League this past season, Koblar had eight goals and six assists. It’s his excellence on the international stage that has rightfully put him deeper into the Leafs’ prospect discussion.

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Then there’s goalie Artur Akhtyamov, who has taken over as the Toronto Marlies’ starter in their unexpected run in the Calder Cup playoffs in the American Hockey League.

Going into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final on Friday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Akhtyamov had posted a .924 save percentage in 12 games. One of the last things Brad Treliving did before he was fired as Leafs GM in March was re-sign Akhtyamov to a three-year extension, with the last two years of the deal one-way. Treliving was on to something, but Akhtyamov perhaps has expedited his path to the NHL.

The play of Akhtyamov has directly had an impact on Dennis Hildeby, who hadn’t seen the Marlies’ crease since May 5.

Hildeby next season would require waivers to be sent to the Marlies. The Leafs wouldn’t be willing to lose Hildeby for nothing — he would be snatched up quickly, we think, if he hits the waiver wire — but could the play of Akhtyamov lead the Leafs to be more open to a trade?

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The organization has a solid goaltending group with Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, Hildeby and Akhtyamov. Does it make sense to have keep all four going into next season?

Chayka and executive Mats Sundin have to go into greater exploration in the goaltending trade market. The play of Akhtyamov calls for it.

As for the Marlies as a whole, the playoff experience being gained by youngsters such as Easton Cowan and Ben Danford can’t be bought. It should serve them well going into training camp in September.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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