Leafs coaching hire draws mixed reaction

The Toronto Maple Leafs have received a mixed response online after hiring Jim Hiller as their new head coach. The announcement, made on Wednesday, surprised some observers because Hiller had not been widely linked to the job in advance. It also prompted debate over whether he matches the profile many expected the team’s general manager, John Chayka, to choose. Several hockey writers and former players reacted on social media with a range of opinions, from skepticism about the hiring process to more measured support for Hiller’s experience and familiarity with the market. The report notes that the Leafs kept the coaching search quiet, and for the most part, those involved said the process remained under wraps until the announcement.