New Toronto Maple Leafs hockey executives John Chayka and Mats Sundin spoke for several hours with head coach Craig Berube last weekend. And coming out of this, all signs point to Berube staying on as Leafs coach, at least for a while. But on Wednesday morning, the team fired the head coach after a two-year run.
GM Chayka said, “Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person.” “This decision reflects more of an organizational change and an opportunity for a fresh start than an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization, and wish Craig and his family the best of luck moving forward.”
Berube still has two years remaining on his contract with the Leafs. The team owes him $9 million ($4.5 million per year) unless he is hired by another team.
In his two seasons with the Buds, he compiled a record of 84–62–18 with one playoff series win. But this year’s disorganized season and last-place finish sealed their fate.
Head coaching search begins for Maple Leafs
The future of the rest of Berube’s staff will depend on who the new coach will be. That search will now begin in earnest.
The big question is, what exactly does the “organizational change” that Chayka mentioned mean? Will they look for a first-year head coach instead of a recycled one?
The No. 1 candidate there is undoubtedly former Vegas Golden Knights bench boss Bruce Cassidy. Vegas was rumored to have rejected the Edmonton Oilers in an attempt to talk Cassidy into potential (he is still under contract with the Golden Knights, even though they released him with a few games left in the season).
The NHL coaching carousel continues.
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