Joe Pavelski Could Be Maple Leafs’ Next Coach — But Can He Succeed?

Joe Pavelski is being seriously considered for the head coaching job with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a move that would shift the 39-year-old from the captain’s role in San Jose to a leadership position on the bench. With his strong leadership background and playoff experience, Pavelski could become the next great coach in the NHL, or struggle to adapt.

Pavelski spent 16 seasons as a pro, winning two Stanley Cups and earning a reputation as a gritty, hard-working leader. He played 1,171 regular-season games and 111 playoff games, including a career-high 12 goals in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. His 468 career goals and 1,028 points rank him among the top 50 in NHL history. But while Pavelski’s on-ice resume is impressive, his coaching experience is limited to youth hockey and family-related coaching roles.

Martin St. Louis, currently the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, offers a blueprint for how a player can transition to coaching. St. Louis, a 10-time All-Star and 2011 Hart Trophy winner, was given time and trust when he moved behind the bench. He has led the Canadiens to a 104-point season in 2025-26, improving the team’s offensive output by 20% under his system.

Pavelski’s path is different. He lacks the individual hardware of St. Louis, no Hart Trophy or Art Ross wins, but he has built a career on consistency and leadership. His ability to rally teams in the playoffs, particularly with the Sharks, could translate well into a coaching role. The challenge will be whether the Maple Leafs give him the patience and staff support St. Louis had in Montreal.

Toronto’s front office has shown a preference for young, energetic coaches, but Pavelski’s veteran presence could provide stability in a locker room full of young stars like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. The Maple Leafs have not had a playoff series win since 2020, and Pavelski’s playoff experience could help bridge that gap.

The Maple Leafs will likely make a decision by July 1. If they go with Pavelski, the coaching staff and front office will need to set up a system that plays to his strengths, structure, defensive accountability, and team-first values. If they do, Pavelski could become the next great coach in Toronto, or at least prove that leadership can come from unexpected places.