The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a decision on head coach Craig Berube.
After Toronto hired John Chayka as the general manager, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley said it would be the GM’s decision on the head coach. Although Pelley liked Berube, he was letting his general manager make the call.
After some time contemplating the move, the Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that Toronto has parted ways with Berube.
“General Manager John Chayka announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Craig Berube,” the team wrote on X.
Toronto hired Berube in 2024 after he was fired by the St. Louis Blues. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019, which was his first year on the job, after being hired mid-season.
In Berube’s first year with the Maple Leafs, he led Toronto to an Atlantic Division title with a record of 52-26-4. However, the Maple Leafs lost in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Florida Panthers.
This past season, the Maple Leafs struggled mightily. Toronto went 32-26-14 and missed the playoffs, which was a disappointing year.
After the disappointing season, Toronto decided to move on from Berube after just two seasons as the Maple Leafs’ head coach.
Maple Leafs Call Move a ‘Fresh Start’
Toronto is in the midst of a front office turnover, as Chayka was hired as general manager. Maple Leafs legend, Mats Sundin, was also hired in a front office role.
After the hiring of Chayka, the GM said he would take his time to meet with Berube and discuss the future. On Wednesday, the Maple Leafs announced the decision to fire Berube. In the press release, Chyka cited the need for a fresh start.
“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 (we) wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”
In the press release, the Maple Leafs revealed that the next head coach will determine the makeup of the remainder of the coaching staff. So, no decisions have been made on the current assistant coaches and their futures in Toronto.
Toronto Wins Draft Lottery
The Maple Leafs entered this offseason with plenty of question marks.
A big question was whether Toronto would keep its first-round pick, which was top-five protected. Yet, the Maple Leafs ended up winning the draft lottery and will select first overall.
“You need some luck and we got it tonight,” Chayka said. “It’s a long road ahead, of course. And lots of work to do still. But when you get a first overall pick, it’s a monumental type of opportunity. I think it’s a really good draft, and a lot of good players. It’s an honor to pick one overall.”
The Maple Leafs are widely expected to select Gavin McKenna out of Penn State first overall.
Maple Leafs Fire Craig Berube Amid Front Office Turnover