Last season, how the Toronto Maple Leafs played the game was different from other teams in the Matthews era. Finally, the Leafs were playing a rougher, higher forecheck game that we usually see teams adopt in the playoffs. While they would still fall back to old habits from time to time, we clearly saw a shift in mentality and buy-in.
However, this season has been nothing short of a disaster. The Leafs are one point out of last in the Eastern Conference, and five points out of a playoff spot. However, it’s not the fact that they’re losing, it’s how they’re losing. We’re seeing some of the most passionless, poor effort games we have seen in the Matthews era. And there have been some lifeless games in the Matthews era.
At this point, it’s painfully obvious that Craig Berube has lost the room. But how should the Leafs proceed? Let’s take a look.
The players are not off the hook
The Maple Leafs desperately need on-ice leadership. We have never seen the top guys lead, except for John Tavares scoring the series-winning goal in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022–23 season. We can probably count on one hand where a Leafs’ superstar has taken over games like Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid has.
The Leafs are on their third coach in the Matthews era. Compared to some teams, such as the Edmonton Oilers, who are on their fifth coach, the Leafs are below average. But at the same time, what we’re seeing are the same flaws under Sheldon Keefe and under Mike Babcock. Sheldon Keefe, in the Amazon Documentary All or Nothing, pleaded with the Leafs to play better. Despite winning games, Keefe knew that how the Leafs were playing would not translate well into the playoffs.
The playoff record speaks for itself.
Berube was brought in to restore accountability within the lineup. However, as with his predecessors, William Nylander has generally been the only star who would be publicly called out. That is, until the last few games, where Berube has shown his frustration with the team, both on the bench and in the post-game interviews.
It’s the coach’s responsibility
Yet, despite the lack of passion or lack of on-ice leadership, it’s ultimately the coaches’ responsibility. The Leafs tuned out Berube to start the year, then it looked like they found their identity for a few games. Perhaps Berube was finally getting through to the players. However, the last few weeks have been abysmal, and the players have silently spoken.
I realize that it’s not fully Berube’s fault that the team is playing this way. Does Berube tell the players not to chase after dumping the puck? Does he tell the players to miss assignments? Does he tell the players not to show up until the last five to ten minutes of a game? Of course not.
But part of the job is being able to motivate the players or convince players to play a different way. If that doesn’t work, the coach should adapt his system to what’s on the roster. However, Berube seems unwilling to adapt his systems to the roster. And the players and coaching staff are at an impasse.
Time for a coaching change
At this point, to salvage the season, a coaching change is needed. One of the decent coaches available is Pete DeBoer. Unlike Craig Berube, Pete DeBoer has not won a Stanley Cup. However, he has made the Stanley Cup finals with two different teams: The New Jersey Devils in 2011–12, and the San Jose Sharks in 2015–16. Other than Babcock, the Leafs have not had a coach who has taken multiple different groups to the dance. Perhaps Berube’s success was a flash in the pan.
More recently, DeBoer has led the Las Vegas Golden Knights to two Western Conference Finals before missing the playoffs in 2021–22. He has led the Dallas Stars to three straight Western Conference Finals before being let go in the offseason. However, this was primarily through the handling of starting goaltender Jake Oettinger, having benched him in a critical playoff game and called him out publicly.
Nevertheless, while DeBoer has been lumped in the same bucket as Rod Brind’Amour of being a Conference Finals specialist, with how those teams play in the playoffs, and with more playoff success than the Leafs, I think Leafs fans would be open to DeBoer.
Another available coach is Peter Laviolette. Laviolette won a Stanley Cup in 2005–06 with the Carolina Hurricanes. He has also lost in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009–10 and with the Nashville Predators in 2016–17. However, since this last Stanley Cup appearance, Laviolette has lost in the first round three times, the second round once, and the third round once. Not the best track record in the modern era.
Some other free agent NHL coaches available are Bruce Boudreau, Jay Woodcroft, and Dan Bylsma.
Going forward
I would rather DeBoer coach this team, given his recent track record and that he has coached high-end talent before. DeBoer also has a 9–0 record in Game 7s, the most of any NHL coach in history. Given the Leafs’ track record in Game 7s in the Matthews era, perhaps how DeBoer coaches would change how the Leafs approach Game 7s.
However, given how things ended in Dallas, perhaps there would be a lack of trust with the players, and the Leafs’ players are already in a fragile state. Either way, a change needs to be made and fast if the Leafs want to salvage the season.
What do you think the Leafs should do? Who do you think they should replace Berube with? Let us know in the comments below!
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This is my opinion. Matthews and Nylander have teamed up to get Berube fired, just like Matthews and Marner (and maybe Nylander) did to Babcock. The players who make the most money are usually the leaders on the team. Only, Matthews and Nylander are NOT leaders. After 10 years of fire the power play coach, fire the assistant coaches, fire the head coach, fire the GM, how about we concentrate on the real answer that should have happened years ago, after the Canadiens fiasco?! Fire (trade) some players and it starts with Matthews and probably Nylander. Think of Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, Gary Roberts, Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Brendan Shanahan (player). They were all leaders, they had passion, heart, conviction, rose to the occasion, led by example and in the most challenging times. If you think Matthews and/or Nylander do that, you didn’t watch the others listed here! You know nothing and shouldn’t be talking because you have no idea. The Leafs need their top players to be leaders and they aren’t. Until they’re gone, the Leafs cannot afford real leaders and won’t be respectable.
Fully agreed. I think it’s both. I don’t think Berube is a good fit for this team (anymore), but also the superstars need to start leading. My article tomorrow is digging into the fact that the Leafs need on-ice leadership. Watching the former captains during Joe Bowen night made me sad that we have no one that comes remotely close to these players.