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Peter Laviolette discusses use of analytics in coaching, appeal of being head coach in Toronto
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 15, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 15, 2026, 09:45 EDT
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The Toronto Maple Leafs’ search for their next head coach has begun following Wednesday’s announcement that Craig Berube would not return for the 2026-27 season. 
On Thursday, following Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka’s press conference to announcing the decision to fire Craig Berube, former Stanley Cup-winning, and current free agent coach, Peter Laviolette joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss what intrigues him about the Maple Leafs’ vacant position, what the first overall pick does for the organization, and how his vision aligns with the data-driven metrics in today’s game.
“I think Toronto’s an unbelievable city. It’s the [Dallas] Cowboys, it’s the [New York] Yankees, you know what I mean. It’s as big as far as hockey goes, so I would think that every coach out there that’s available would throw his hat in that ring, and I’m no different in that regard,” Laviolette said. “Secondly, I think that the core players that they have there are really good players, so there’s something to build off of. I know the season didn’t go the way they wanted it to, but they’ve been a really good team with really good pieces for some time now and chasing that ultimate goal. As it moves forward for me, it’s always a starting point.”
The Maple Leafs may soon be adding another impact player to a core group that consists of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Easton Cowan. After winning the NHL draft lottery last week, the Maple Leafs hold the first overall selection in June and can choose to add the player they see as the best fit to their lineup.
“That’s a big piece to get. To be able to get a young player that can come in and be an impact player is huge. I’ve watched tape on him [Gavin McKenna] before. You watch highlights, see who’s capable of what, and not every player is capable of making an impact right away, some never do,” Laviolette said. “But if they went down the road with a player like this [McKenna], that would be a player that could come into a team that has really good core pieces already and become a valuable addition to that team.” 
Chayka, the new Maple Leafs GM, is very big into the analytics side of the game, having come from a background in the company Stathletes. Chayka fits the ‘data-centric mind’ that MLSE CEO Keith Pelley stated he was looking for in the press conference following Brad Treliving’s firing. 
Laviolette, 61, first started at the NHL level in 2000-01 as an assistant coach of the Boston Bruins. While some old-school hockey minds don’t dive as deep into the analytical side, Laviolette spoke about how he implements them into his coaching style. 
“Every organization uses it a little bit differently. I think the information is helpful. I think it’s part of the game now,” Laviolette said. “I believe it sometimes gives you information that’s sometimes swayed by what’s in your head, and there’s actual data and information that’s maybe best used in a different way. They are big pieces of organizations, and there are multiple people and resources looking after the analytics, whether it’s on your team, future players, or opposing teams. I think, like everything, it becomes more refined and detailed, so in that sense you’d be crazy not to implement it.”  
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