What Could Happen to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Craig Berube Era Begins?
The Toronto Maple Leafs put a stop to widespread speculation regarding their empty coaching position late Friday afternoon, revealing that former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube will take over behind the bench. Berube’s no-nonsense approach and Stanley Cup-winning record were major selling points for Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving and Team President Brendan Shanahan. Berube will now be responsible for putting his stamp on the Buds, both on and off the ice.
Every new coach is responsible for recruiting assistants who share their vision for the squad, and Berube will want to act swiftly to establish the coaches who will join him on the bench. The Leafs had many of assistants under Keefe, including veterans Guy Boucher, Mike Van Ryn, Manny Malhotra, and Dean Chynoweth. While former NHLers Steve Ott and Marc Savard have been mentioned as prospective assistants in Toronto, both are under contract with other teams and would require permission to depart to take a position with the Leafs. Van Ryn, who has worked with Berube before, may be the only coach that hangs around.
