“Huge Blow” as Maple Leafs’ assistant coach Guy Boucher will not return in 2024-25

The Toronto Maple Leafs declared on Saturday that assistant coach Guy Boucher will not be part of the team for the 2024-25 season.

During his single season with the Maple Leafs, the 52-year-old was in charge of the team’s power play, which ranked 7th in the league by the end of the regular season. However, Toronto struggled on the power play in the first-round series against the Boston Bruins, scoring only one goal in 21 opportunities and eventually losing the series in seven games.

Prior to his time with the Maple Leafs, Boucher served as an NHL head coach for six seasons, three each with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2010-11 to 2012-13) and the Ottawa Senators (2016-17 to 2018-19). He led both teams to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first seasons with them.

The Maple Leafs have seen significant changes this summer. Following their elimination by the Bruins, the team dismissed head coach Sheldon Keefe in May. Craig Berube was hired as his replacement nearly two weeks later.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that assistant coach Guy Boucher will not return to the coaching staff.

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) June 15, 2024

Berube, who previously coached the St. Louis Blues, led them to a Stanley Cup championship in the 2018-19 season, despite being fired in December 2023 after a slow start.

Berube, with a record of 206-132-44 and a .597 points percentage over six seasons with the Blues, also had coaching stints with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2013-14 and 2014-15, recording a 75-58-28 record.

Berube appointed Lane Lambert as an associate coach on June 5, simultaneously announcing that Dean Chynoweth would not return as an assistant. Lambert, who previously coached the New York Islanders, guided them to a 61-46-20 record and a playoff berth in 2023.