5 Candidates for Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015-16

While coaching is just one of many concerns for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it may be the most important offseason move the organization can make this summer. Peter Horachek has had the interim tag since being hired, and there are no indications that he will become the team's permanent head coach.

He led the team to a 1-11 record immediately following his hiring, and the team has not looked good under his direction. It currently sits second-last in the Eastern Conference with 60 points.

Some good role players were moved before the trade deadline, but Horachek has failed to light any kind of fire under this team. The Leafs' woes should not be hung strictly on him, but he's done little to indicate that he's capable of leading the team moving forward.

Let's take a look at five top candidates to be the Maple Leafs' next head coach in 2015-16.

Steve Spott, Assistant Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

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At best, Steve Spott is a long shot to be the team's next head coach, but he does have a very good record of developing young players. In seven years of head coaching experience, his teams have been above .600 in winning percentage.

His teams win.

Spott guided the 2013-14 Toronto Marlies to 45 wins and the third round of the AHL playoffs.

He was the Canadian head coach for the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2013 but failed to bring home a medal for Canada. Nevertheless, he was deemed one of the top junior coaches in this hockey-mad country to be offered the position. Short tournaments are not a great way to assess a coach's full abilities.

The Leafs are almost certainly going to get younger in the next few seasons. The club will require a teacher as much as a leader as its next head coach. Spott is both of those things.

Dan Bylsma, Former Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Dan Bylsma is a cerebral coach who boasts an exceptionally strong record at the NHL level. Having Sidney Crosby and Evegeni Malkin certainly makes any coach better, but Bylsma is a thoughtful tactician who understands the game from several angles.

He was a journeyman player with just 62 points in 429 games, yet he's never had anything less than a .619 winning percentage as an NHL head coach. He also has a Stanley Cup on his resume.

Bylsma is just 44 years old and remains in the prime of his coaching career. He has the tools and experience to deal with the glare of the Toronto media, as he coached one of the more highly scrutinized teams in recent NHL history.

He could be an excellent fit in Toronto with a club that evidently aspires to be a puck-possession team that attacks the opponent rather than spending its time defending.

Guy Boucher, Head Coach, SC Bern

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Guy Boucher is fiery, passionate and bright. He served as the Tampa Bay Lightning's head coach from 2010-11 to 2013 and led the team to 46 wins in his first season. Prior to that, he won a QMJHL championship with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 2009.

He's also been honing his skills in Europe and should offer a broader understanding of the game given his recent experiences in Switzerland.

At 43 years of age, he's another relatively young coach who would offer energy and vibrancy as a bench boss. Boucher's passion and intensity would be welcomed in a city starving for a hockey winner.

Dallas Eakins, Former Head Coach, Edmonton Oilers

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While it may feel like ages ago now, less than two years ago, Dallas Eakins was one of the hottest coaching prospects in the game.

The former Peterborough Pete had led the Toronto Marlies to the AHL's Calder Cup Final and had 87 wins in his final two seasons with the club.

He took on a very difficult job with the Edmonton Oilers, as the team has failed to add high-quality NHL centres, defenders or goaltenders for multiple seasons. The odds for success were very low. Scotty Bowman would be challenged to guide the Oilers into the playoffs at the moment.

Eakins may have to take another position before making his way back to the head coaching ranks in the NHL, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him interviewed for the Toronto job given his rather successful history within the organization.

Mike Babcock, Head Coach, Detroit Red Wings

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Mike Babcock is one of the most successful coaches of his generation. He's won a Stanley Cup, two Olympic gold medals, a IIHF World Championship and a World Junior title. He is recognized as a smart and engaging motivator.

Babcock would have instant respect in the Leafs' dressing room.

He's thrived under an intense media glare over the years in different positions. It would be interesting to see him deal with the Toronto media on a daily basis.

All of this is predicated on the longtime Red Wings coach not returning to the Motor City next year. While he has not signed an extension, it would be very surprising to see Babcock leave Detroit.

If he does, expect Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan to be one of the first out of the gates to try to hire the native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His hiring could change the fortunes of the Maple Leafs.

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