Patrick Roy and Craig Berube are now tied together again, because Toronto still has not closed the door on Roy.
That is the real twist from Pierre LeBrun's update. Roy is not a faded rumor from the early part of the search. He is still right in the middle of it.
That matters because Toronto's coaching hunt has already bounced through a pile of names, styles, and directions. By now, anyone still alive in the race is there for a reason.
Roy staying in the picture tells you the Leafs are still considering a hard personality behind the bench. This would not be a soft reset or a quiet hire.
LeBrun's wording is what keeps the story moving. He said candidates like Jay Woodcroft and Patrick Roy are still in the mix, which means Toronto has not narrowed this down to one clean lane yet.
He also added Joe Pavelski to the list of serious names. That is what makes the whole thing more interesting. The Leafs are not choosing between similar coaches. They are choosing between very different identities.
Roy stands out the most because he would change the temperature of the room the second he walked in. Nobody would be wondering what kind of voice he brings.
" Pierre LeBrun: Re Maple Leafs coaching search: Joe Pavelski was one of those five [candidates]; I have not confirmed these names but I believe that the likes of Jay Woodcroft and Patrick Roy should still be in the mix - Oilers Now (6/10)
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Patrick Roy's latest Toronto update has fans completely divided
Because the Leafs do not need another neutral presence. They missed the playoffs, changed direction, and now need somebody who can grab the room fast.
Roy brings that naturally. He carries pressure well, does not get swallowed by markets, and never looks uncomfortable in the middle of noise. In Toronto, that matters more than almost anywhere.
There is also a reason his interview reportedly left a strong impression earlier in the process. Roy does not walk into those meetings hoping to survive them. He walks in trying to win them.
That edge is what keeps him alive. Toronto can look at Woodcroft for structure, Pavelski for fresh leadership, or Roy for force and presence. Roy is the name that feels the least subtle.
And that is exactly why some people around the Leafs would love it while others would hate it. Hiring Roy would not be safe. It would be loud, aggressive, and impossible to ignore.
That does not mean he is the favorite. It does mean he is still a real threat to land this job, and that alone says a lot about how open the process remains.
If Toronto wanted a quiet ending to this search, Patrick Roy would already be gone. The fact that he is still there tells you the Leafs may still be tempted by the biggest swing on the board.
Would Patrick Roy be the boldest coaching hire Toronto could make?
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