When the Toronto Maple Leafs appointed Craig Berube as the new head coach, it signaled a shift in the team’s direction. This was evident from his first media appearance and introductory press conference.
The Maple Leafs sought a fresh perspective on the bench following repeated playoff disappointments. Berube appears to be the right fit, given his strong relationships with former players and his role in transforming the fortunes of the St. Louis Blues, leading them to win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
Although the 2024-25 season is still months away, Berube is already immersed in the coaching mindset. He is engaging with players, finalizing his staff, and establishing a clear direction for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. He addressed these points during the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas.
Desiring a Team Identity
Even though it’s still early in the offseason and training camp is months away, it’s never too soon for a head coach to start crafting a plan. One prominent focus for Berube is to establish a clear team identity and define the style of play and reputation they want to uphold in every game.
Berube emphasized the importance of carving out an identity for the team, stating, “I think just an identity. How we want to be as a team and how we want to play night in and night out. More than anything an identity, what to expect like this is what I’m looking for as a coach and what I expect out of you as a player.”
Furthermore, Berube aims for his team to show commitment, expressing his desire for them to play as a “heavy team,” emphasizing their strength on pucks and ability to win puck battles. While previous attempts to instill aggression into the team showed some players being physical, others appeared hesitant. While skill is valuable, Berube highlights the importance of having all players adopt the style of play he envisions for the Maple Leafs.
A key focal point for Berube is to emphasize accountability and effective communication with the team. This was a central theme in his initial press conference, as he believes a strong player-coach connection is crucial for fostering accountability, an area in which Berube has excelled in the past.
Familiarity With Savard
The most significant addition to Berube’s coaching staff was the return of an old acquaintance, Marc Savard. Savard has previously served as an assistant coach in the NHL, notably alongside Berube during their time with the Blues and the Calgary Flames last season. Berube praised Savard, highlighting their shared history.
“I played with Mark for a while as a player,” Berube recollected. “I love his personality. He was a great power play specialist and offensive player. I brought him to St. Louis for a period, where he oversaw the power play, and I was impressed with his work.
“I wanted to bring him back due to our familiarity, and I believe he will be an asset to our power play unit.”
The Maple Leafs have exhibited predictability in the past and have struggled in the postseason. With a new influence tasked with managing the power play, it is anticipated that there will be a different strategy in place. Savard discussed the avoidance of predetermined plays to prevent creating a predictable pattern, with the hope of steering the Maple Leafs toward adopting a fresh approach.
Savard’s prior success in charge of the power play is backed by statistical evidence. Now, with Berube reuniting with a trusted ally, they aim to recapture that success, especially with a talented group of forwards at their disposal this season.
As Berube prepares for his inaugural season with the Maple Leafs, he has been diligently gearing up for the challenges ahead. His responses to pivotal inquiries during the draft offer a glimpse into the Maple Leafs’ upcoming direction as they seek to find stability and chart a successful course.
Meeting with Marner and other players
It’s customary for a new coach to connect with the players and familiarize themselves with the team. Berube has already engaged with the players, expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity.
“I’ve pretty much talked to every player on the team,” Berube said. “In person, Zoom, phone calls, it’s been great. I’m looking forward to working with all these guys.”
The meeting that garnered the most attention was the one with star winger Mitch Marner. A photo of Berube meeting and conversing with Marner in a coffee shop was widely shared on social media. Berube downplayed the incident and emphasized his focus on understanding the player and his potential contribution to the team.
“He’s a character guy,” Berube said of Marner. “He’s a great person, obviously a great player. I’m looking forward to coaching him.”
Marner has faced significant scrutiny due to variations in his performance between the regular season and playoffs. Despite achieving close to 100 points twice in his career and three 90-point seasons, he had a disappointing playoff showing. His usual energy and driving play were absent, marked by poor reads, indirect routes, lack of intensity, and questionable decision-making.
In the past, Marner has demonstrated the ability to be a dominant player, embodying the style of play Berube desires for his team.
If anyone can motivate Marner to perform at his peak using his coaching approach, it’s Berube. Despite not having had star players to work with during his time with the Blues, he now has four at his disposal, including Marner.
Marner has previously elevated his game in the postseason early in his career and now has an opportunity to do so again, especially in a contract year where this season carries significant weight for him.
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