We know what Joe Pavelski really thinks of Maple Leafs head coach job

We know what Joe Pavelski really thinks of Maple Leafs head coach job originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

But this week, the long-time San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars legend emerged as a candidate for the open head coach job with the Toronto Maple Leafs .

It was a shocking report initially, but it's real, and Pavelski appears to be clearly in the running.

NHL insider Darren Dreger has reported that Pavelski hasn't just been contacted -- he's expressed that he is interested.

Pavelski has coached his son Nate "at the youth level" in Madison, Wisconsin, according to insider Elliotte Friedman. It would make him a bit like when the Canadiens hired Martin St. Louis .

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Pavelski, 41, is an all-time great player who skated in 1,332 NHL games and finished with 476 goals and 592 assists.

He was just a seventh-round pick by the San Jose Sharks but became one of their best players ever. He wrapped up his career with the Dallas Stars , and probably could've kept playing if he had wanted to.