David Pagnotta

But that's the kind of, like, I think ultimately they're going to go in a younger direction.

May not necessarily be a first-year NHL coach,

could be a second opportunity for a younger guy like Jay Woodcroft.

But I see them kind of going in that direction.

I would imagine there's interest in Manny Malhotra as well.

Now, our buddy Irv Gaffar told us earlier this week that Vancouver has denied one team permission to talk to Manny Malhotra.

I don't know who the team is, but I would imagine he's on the radar of a couple, including the Leafs.

So, you know, maybe that's not going to be an option there.

But I can see them going in that direction for some of those guys that –

are younger type of coaches in the National Hockey League, not necessarily a veteran guy like a LaViolette or Bruce or whomever.

Yeah, that's what it looks like.

And if they did indeed deny a team, then, well, they've got to have something up their sleeve in terms of elevating him within the organization.

And Ross Johnson has, obviously, that experience, that knowledge, that comfortability with Manny Malhotra already.

They've got a relationship.

They won the Calder last year.

I think it's...

Probably a formality.

Why hasn't it been announced?

If that is the case, well, maybe he's just shoring up the rest of his coaching staff or trying to.

A lot of individuals that are on expiring deals, those decisions are starting to be made right now, like in Boston, Jay Leach.