But if things don’t pan out — and they rarely do for the Leafs — then coach Mike Babcock could become a prime candidate for Seattle’s franchise a year ahead of schedule. Babcock isn’t the only coach of interest, but appears among the most vulnerable of the marquee names — Paul Maurice in Winnipeg and Bruce Boudreau in Minnesota look shaky, too — it would take for NHL Seattle to hire somebody next summer rather than in early 2021.

- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Read more from Baker in a piece written for the Seattle hockey fans.