Peter Laviolette is the Maple Leafs coaching hire that brings Vincent Trocheck with him
Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
If the Maple Leafs bring Peter Laviolette in to coach, that's only going to come with more benefits as Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck will follow him into Toronto.
Vincent Trocheck is on the trade block and Peter Laviolette pitched himself as the new leader of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Trocheck played his best hockey under Laviolette, and hiring him now would lead to the move that Auston Matthews has been begging for.
We reported recently that Peter Laviolette threw his hat into the mix when it comes to the Maple Leafs and while he didn't directly say he wants the job, he gave one heck of an audition. We also touched on the fact that the New York Rangers would likely be moving on from Vincent Trocheck, with Toronto a team who could desperately use him.
Trocheck and Laviolette make too much sense for Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs
Trocheck, 32, enjoyed his best years under Laviolette. In 2023-24 and 2024-25 he recorded 136 points in 164 games (51 goals, 85 assists) with a plus-16, 389 hits, 164 blocks and a blistering 59% face-off win percentage.
He's an elite two-way centre who would instantly become Toronto's 2C, and if Laviolette's in tow then it could be quite a fruitful tandem. TSN's Bryan Hayes also touched on the two coming together and feels like it could be a really good fit:
What if you hired an American coach? Peter Laviolette. He really played well under Laviolette. See, everything is kind of coming together.
The statement was made in the context of Auston Matthews having some influence in the decision considering he was Team USA captain when Trocheck was on the team, and the two played well together in the Olympics.
Not to mention that the two won a gold medal and the American connection is a real thing as we know that Matthews is staunchly patriotic and someone who holds representing his country as one of the highest regards possible.
He does hold a 12-team no-trade clause, so Chayka would need to make sure that Laviolette is here first; but if Toronto is a no-go then this entire conversation unfortunately becomes a moot point.
Matthews and Nylander wanted some 'dogs' up front and Trocheck is a bonafide Rottweiler
When the team gave their exit interviews with the team, both William Nylander and Auston Matthews both implored the Maple Leafs to find some guys up front with a doglike mentality.
Trocheck is about as big a 'dog' you can get up front. He's going to hit you, he's going to make your life miserable with his defensive game, you aren't winning many face-offs against him, and if you do manage a shot - he has no issues flying right in front of the puck.
Also talk about pressure? He's as calm as ever. Those two years under Laviolette had him score seven game-winners and he has 35 in his career; Trocheck is going to turn it up when things get tough.
We haven't even touched on the fact that he's one of the best possession guys in the entire game (58.9 CF%, 58.7 FF%) and his mix of elite defence and puck-handling means that getting out of the defensive zone is going to be a massive boost regardless of who's coaching - it's just an overall net benefit.
With Auston Matthews needing to see action and real players brought in, Vincent Trocheck checks every box for the Maple Leafs. From his fit in the lineup, the USA connection, a fairly cheap deal ($6.6-million) and potential chemistry with Laviolette if he comes in; it's all coming together.
Exactly like Hayes is predicting, and John Chayka has a chance to make sure the Maple Leafs are set to compete even sooner than they ever expected.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol