In today’s (May 17) Canadian Daily Rumours roundup, I’m looking at three rumours circulating around Canadian clubs. A few intriguing coaching and roster whispers are floating around. Could the Maple Leafs try to lure college star coach David Carle to the NHL? Will the Canucks keep Adam Foote or finally hand the job to Manny Malhotra? And might Toronto quietly add a speedy, physical depth winger like Ilya Mikheyev (Soup Man) instead of chasing a big-name scorer?
Maple Leafs Rumour: Could Toronto Swing for David Carle?
It sounds wild, but it’s not impossible that the Maple Leafs could try to pry David Carle away from the University of Denver, though convincing him to leave college hockey won’t be easy. Carle’s spent 17 seasons with Denver (eight as head coach), is widely respected as one of the best non-NHL coaches, and reportedly turned down a serious push from the Blackhawks last year.
The sticking points are real: he’s got a young family and doesn’t want to uproot, and reports say he’d want big money plus input on roster construction if he jumps to the NHL. Would Toronto’s new front office bend to that? That’s the million-dollar question.
Vancouver’s front office did a big reset, and the coaching spot is suddenly the hot seat. Should they keep Adam Foote and risk losing Manny Malhotra, or cut bait after one year and bring in someone new? The new regime didn’t hire Foote, so they can look at this without baggage and be much more honest about what’s best for the team.
Foote’s a great player-turned-coach who got thrown into a rough first year and probably deserves a fair shot, but Malhotra is hot right now — first-time NHL coach material with other teams calling. Blocking interviews to keep him would rub people the wrong way, so it’s a delicate dance. Jeff Marek thinks they’ll pick Malhotra, and honestly, that move would send a clear message about the new front office’s direction.
Maple Leafs Rumour: Could Toronto Bring Back Ilya Mikheyev?
Justin Bourne didn’t quite say this, but he led me there. With Toronto likely drafting a top winger (Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg) and keeping guys like Matthew Knies, Easton Cowan, and William Nylander, wings aren’t the hottest priority this offseason. Still, adding depth that can move the puck and bring speed with size makes sense, and a name like Ilya Mikheyev (who played with the Leafs early in his career) fits that archetype.
He’s got speed, hits, kills penalties, and can grab a few goals. He’d be a low-risk depth pickup who can eat minutes at five-on-five. Bringing Mikheyev back would be a sneaky-smart move.
Related: Canadian Daily Rumours: Oilers, Senators, Canucks & Katz’s Call
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