id go with Carle, young and new…get that old guard Berube stink off
also Carle is 36, Chayka is 36…so it has to be
I want the Leafs to bring Carle into the organization but I don’t think I want him in the NHL yet.
The Marlies coach, John Gruden should be promoted to withstand the beginning of the rebuild. The reason being, he has more experience but is still a “new young” coach. He was an assistant in Boston and Long Island as well as doing well in the AHL with the Marlies, two gold medals at the WJC and winning a Championship in the OHL. That’s an alright resume for a position that should be transitioning into a full rebuild. He can work with young players and the majority of Marlies that he is already familiar with as the Leafs start to trade away everybody over 25.
By promoting John Gruden, you create a vacancy for Carle to step into. Carle “might” want to jump directly into the NHL but grossly overpaying him will change his mind to take a couple years in the AHL first. This gives him time to adjust from college kids to pro players. Then, two or three years from now, when the Leafs are in full tank and rebuild mode, you can promote Carle from within without him having to deal with the day to day tire fire of a tanking, rebuilding team.
This, of course, depends on if Rod Brind’Amour, who is a free agent in 2029, can be pulled in or not whereby you see if Carle wants to remain as an assistant and learn from the best.