A new coaching chapter
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced this week that Jim Hiller will take over as head coach, marking the third bench boss in less than a decade for the Original Six franchise.
Hiller first joined the Leafs as an assistant coach in 2015, staying on the staff until 2019, and he most recently served as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings before being dismissed after an 8‑1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on March 1.
The Leafs had endured a disappointing season after finishing atop the Atlantic Division in 2024‑25, a result that ultimately led to the firing of Craig Berube after two seasons of under‑performance.
New general manager John Chayka framed the coaching change as a chance to reset the club’s direction, saying the organization needed a fresh approach to translate regular‑season success into playoff contention.
Roster reshaping ahead of the draft
As part of that reset, Chayka executed a trade that sent goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers, a move that cleared cap space and signaled a willingness to reshape the roster ahead of the draft.
With the trade completed, the Leafs now hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, a position that could allow the club to add a top prospect or explore a blockbuster deal that reshapes the team’s future.
The front office has indicated that the next steps will involve evaluating prospects, maintaining the core group of players who helped secure the division title, and ensuring that the new coaching staff can maximize the team’s offensive potential.