Craig Berube firing explained by John Chayka as Maple Leafs overhaul continues

The Toronto Maple Leafs will begin the John Chayka era as general manager with a new head coach, as the team announced that they fired Craig Berube on Wednesday morning. Berube had two years remaining on his deal, but after the team’s failures last season during their contending window, it isn’t surprising to see them make a change to try to kick-start the new era, according to a statement from Chayka on the team’s official site.

“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” said Chayka. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”

Berube became a polarizing figure for Leafs Nation, with his defensive tendencies seeming to drag down some of the team’s elite offensive players. The head coach won a Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues, which made him an attractive add, but he was never really a fit with the personnel group.

The hiring of the new head coach might be the most important of Chayka’s entire tenure with the Maple Leafs. If he picks the wrong man to lead a team that is already fragile and is about to add a top prospect at first overall in the NHL Draft, it’ll be a terrible start for his time running the prestigious organization.

The question for the Leafs will be whether they’ll pursue a proven option like the recently unemployed Bruce Cassidy or bring in someone younger with a fresh vision.

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