Lambert has served as an associate coach before, a position seen as higher than a typical assistant's position.

One day after reports surfaced of Lane Lambert potentially joining the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching staff comes word that the former New York Islanders head coach could be joining Toronto as an associate coach, and not an assistant.

On Tuesday's 'The Jeff Marek Show' episode, Marek and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman discussed the Maple Leafs' coaching staff that newly-installed boss Craig Berube will lead. And they revealed that Lambert's role won't necessarily be that of an assistant coach.

"I've heard it's not an assistant but an associate coach," Marek said as he introduced Friedman onto the show. 

"I would believe that," Friedman affirmed.

An associate coach in the NHL is typically seen around the NHL as a level higher than an assistant and right behind the head coach. It usually comes with some of a head coach's responsibilities as well.

Lambert has served as an associate coach before, working under Barry Trotz with the New York Islanders in that capacity until he was promoted to head coach later in his tenure. 

Lambert was dismissed as head coach of the Islanders in January and replaced by four-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick Roy. 

"I think with Lambert, it's just a matter of them (the Leafs) making the announcement," Friedman said. 

As for the rest of the coaching staff, there are still some things to figure out. Manny Malhotra departed Toronto to become the new coach of the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, but it appears Chynoweth may also be on the outs.

"I believe Dean Chynoweth, who is a very good coach, is not going to be back," Friedman said. "I'm not sure what the story is with (Guy) Boucher yet," Friedman said. "I do expect (Mike) Van Ryn will be back."

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