The Toronto Maple Leafs wasted little time replacing Sheldon Keefe behind their bench as the club announced on Friday that they had come to terms with Craig Berube to become their new head coach.
When asked what qualities the organization was looking for in their new bench boss, GM Brad Treliving referenced how the team needed a fresh voice that could maximize the team’s potential.
“In this business over a period of time, the message stops hitting home,” Treliving said. “It’s not just changing the personnel but understanding why a message may not be getting through. So, our focus right now is trying to find that individual.”
The Leafs, who famously have won one playoff round since 2004, and haven’t hoisted the Cup since 1967, relieved Keefe of his duties just over a week ago. Instead they turn to an NHL veteran with over 1,000 games experience, and more than 3,000 PIMs to his name.
Berube earned a reputation as a no nonsense coach, who helped turn around the St. Louis Blues franchise and help them capture their first championship in over 50 years back in 2019. The 58 year old has also spent time as the head coach of the Phildelphia Flyers prior to joining the Maple Leafs.
Berube joins Toronto at a pivotal time in franchise history. Their “core four” has largely disappointed come playoff time over the last several seasons. And their most recent first round flameout against the Boston Bruins has raised questions about the long term future of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares with the franchise.
With more questions than answers, no move clauses to contend with, and several impending UFAs that will need new contracts or replacing via the draft or free agency, the Leafs front office will certainly have their work cut out for them this offseason.
However finding a new head coach can now be removed from that list.
Photo: Edward Dallas. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.