Latest news with #Berube
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Coach Craig Berube's Role Within Maple Leafs Change? And If So, How?
When Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley answered questions following the departure of Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, he acknowledged that head coach Craig Berube should have a more prominent role within the club. More than just the X's and O's, and potentially more than just the daily roster decisions. Berube's experience is constant when it comes to hockey. The 59-year-old spent sixteen years as an NHL player, racking up 3,149 penalty minutes through 1054 games before spending nine years as a head coach in the league. The most memorable year of his coaching career was his Stanley Cup-winning season with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. That said, Berube is arguably one of hockey's top minds. And Pelley, who's spent nearly nine years working with the DP World Tour (better known as the PGA European Tour), has experience working overseas, viewing how European football clubs run their teams. "I'm a firm believer that the coach has to be involved more than just on the day of the game and in the dressing room," Pelley said on Friday. "We have a wonderful asset in Craig, and we have a wonderful asset in Brad (Treliving)." 'The Coach Has To Be Involved More': Why MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Wants Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube To Have More Say In Key Decisions Hours after Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan's dismissal, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley had dinner with head coach Craig Berube. But what does it mean for Berube to be more involved than he already is? An NHL coach's role usually doesn't go beyond the day-to-day roster formation. Some coaches throughout the league might have more of a say, but for the most part, if they want a specific player to round out their roster, say at the trade deadline, it's up to the general manager to go out and get that player. The coach manages the team's play, and the GM focuses on additions to improve the team. In European football, a club might have a manager who deals with the day-to-day team activities and the club's long-term outlook. They wield more power, and usually, if they want a player who can help their team, the club will go out and acquire them. Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Would '100 Percent' Like To Retain Pending Unrestricted Free Agents Mitch Marner, John Tavares Just two days after a season-ending 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs held their end-of-season media availability. For example, in the Maple Leafs' case, Berube could signal to Treliving that, to improve the team, they need Blues forward Brayden Schenn. Berube could cite Toronto's need for center depth (again, this is just an example), plus their history of winning a Stanley Cup together. If all parties, including Treliving and other staff, agree, Toronto would likely attempt to add that player. All of this likely occurs already, but with Shanahan not in the mix anymore, it opens the door to Berube and Treliving bouncing more ideas off each other without anyone higher saying no. Pelley's involvement will be nothing more than a sounding board for those within the organization. MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Explains Decision Not To Hire New Maple Leafs President After Brendan Shanahan's Dismissal Fans stood alongside Legends Row before Scotiabank Arena, taking photos with the Toronto Maple Leafs' icons. At the same time, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley sat less than 15 feet away, inside the building, discussing another early playoff exit for his hockey club. "The people that are going to make the key hockey decisions, the people that are going to make the key basketball decisions, are basketball-oriented people and are hockey-oriented people," the MLSE CEO said. "That's the way I look at it as a holistic leader that can provide support and guidance from a leadership perspective, from a culture side. But I'm not going to be deciding who we draft and what free agents we're going to sign. That will be the decision by the hockey operations group." With Shanahan gone, Berube may enter free agency with more say in organization-shifting decisions. During his end-of-season media availability, Berube said he'd "100 percent" like to see the Maple Leafs re-sign John Tavares and Mitch Marner. 'We'll See What Happens': Pelley Weighs In On Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner's Pending Free Agency Brendan Shanahan was the first domino to fall in an offseason expected to be full of change. Tavares already looks like a done deal to return, but could Toronto's head coach be behind a stronger push to re-sign Marner once he hits the open market? If you asked the Maple Leafs, I'm sure they'd like to bring the 28-year-old back, even with how Toronto went out of the playoffs. Berube said it, and I'd believe it if others agreed too. The big question is how Berube's job will differ from his first season as Maple Leafs head coach to the next season. Treliving will hopefully answer that question, and more, when he speaks on Thursday morning for the first time since Toronto's season ended. Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'He's quite the guy': Coach Craig Berube shares funny stories about William Nylander
Craig Berube, coach of the Maple Leafs, is now sharing more insight into his relationship with star player William Nylander, after making a podcast appearance on the Nasty Knuckles podcast in May 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Coach Berube expressed himself in a clearly jovial and open manner, revealing all the ways he connects with Nylander in as many ways on the ice and off the ice. Craig Berube reveals how he connected with William Nylander during his best season yet On May 24, 2025, Craig Berube appeared on the Nasty Knuckles hockey podcast to discuss being the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was his first season as coach of the Maple Leafs and he had much to reflect on. During the podcast they discussed his working relationship with William Nylander, the Swedish winger, who is now 28 years old. During the 2024-25 season, Nylander had the best year of his NHL career, scoring a career best 45 goals, while Berube was coaching him. Craig Berube referred to Nylander as a "good teammate and a good guy." He did mention that he enjoyed coaching Nylander. Berube was quoted saying, "He wants to win. Like everyone else, we all have things we want to improve and we'll ask more of him like the others." In May 2024, the Maple Leafs brought in Berube to serve as the coach after dismissing Sheldon Keefe after another first-round playoff exit. There were doubts from the start of how players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander would take to Berube, who during his playing career was a hard-hitting enforcer. As a coach, however, Craig Berube has been a soothing, steady presence to whoever he has under his charge. Also Read: Craig Berube shares funny locker room moments and playful talks Craig Berube also shared a few funny stories that showed the lighter side of his relationship with William Nylander. He said Nylander often walks into the locker room in a muscle shirt, with earrings and messy hair. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'He's quite the guy,' Berube laughed on the podcast. He also shared a moment during a game when Nylander missed a scoring chance. 'I said, 'You shot it right into the goalie's glove!' and he said, 'Well, I wasn't out there early enough. I wasn't warmed up.'' Berube laughed, calling Nylander 'a beauty' for always having a comeback. These small exchanges have helped build a strong and relaxed connection between the coach and the player. Berube joked earlier this season that sometimes he just lets Nylander 'do his thing,' and it seems to be working well. Nylander was one of the Leafs' top performers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the team didn't go all the way, Berube and Nylander's bond could be a big part of the future in Toronto.
Edmonton Journal
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Maple Leafs players deny pressure of playing in Toronto hurts them
Article content 'Go home, become tougher mentally, tougher physically because you'll need it for next year.' Berube doesn't want a repeat of the structural failure that doomed the Leafs in Games 5 and 7, both 6-1 losses at home, to repeat itself with the season on the line. As to why the Leafs folded again on such a big stage, the post mortem was one of the most interesting in recent years, thanks in large part to the Panthers. Florida coach Paul Maurice and chief Leafs antagonists Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk all sounded off about their NHL brethren skating around with anchor chains of pressure in the league's largest market and how much better they'd play without it. That apparently was the reason the Leafs lost a series in which they led 2-0 and have not won a Cup since 1967. Players new to Toronto were quick to dismiss it as an excuse. 'I've played in Canada for 14 and half of my 15 years (here, Calgary and Vancouver),' hometown defenceman Chris Tanev said. 'Pressure comes with the territory.'
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Most disappointing part of the series': Craig Berube's Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff debut shrouded in tragedy as Game 7 collapse hurts
Craig Berube (via Getty Images) Craig Berube 's first playoff push behind the Toronto Maple Leafs ' bench ended much like those of his predecessors — in bitter disappointment. After a strong regular season performance, the Maple Leafs were swamped in a decisive Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers , dropping a 6-1 decision at home in a defeat that raised more questions than answers about Toronto's core leadership group. Toronto Maple Leafs suffer another playoff meltdown under Craig Berube as Florida Panthers sweep Game 7 Maple Leafs vs. Panthers LIVE Post Game 7 Reaction | Leafs Talk The Toronto Maple Leafs' pursuit of post-season success is still beyond their grasp, even with a head coaching change. Craig Berube, whom the club hired to instill grit and discipline, witnessed his team implode in its most pivotal moment — a Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena — as they were outworked in energy, urgency, and execution by the Florida Panthers. 'To me, that's the most disappointing part of the series,' Berube admitted. 'I can't explain it, nor do I want to. We did a great job fighting for home ice all year and had a great record. While they did take two elimination games — one in Ottawa and one on the road at Florida — the Leafs had nothing left in the tank for Game 7. Early defensive breakdowns and an inability to counter Florida's physical forecheck made the game impossible to rally from before the third period. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Craig Berube then joins an expanding group of Toronto Maple Leafs head coaches to have steered respectable regular seasons only to fall short in the playoffs — a recurring pattern by Mike Babcock and Sheldon Keefe. To add insult to the venom is the Leafs' blown 2-0 series lead and that they were one bounce away from capturing a 3-0 stranglehold in Game 3 OT. The Panthers instead responded with a harder and more dogged push. Long-time defenseman Morgan Rielly summarized the sentiment in the locker room. 'That's what it feels like,' Rielly said. 'The real frustration is the Eastern Conference final starts in a couple of days. And we're not there.' Also read: Craig Berube backs Joseph Woll and team effort for Game 7 The Toronto Maple Leafs once more enter another uncertain and strained offseason. Craig Berube and general manager Brad Treliving will have no choice but to make difficult decisions, namely on the future of the " Core Four ." The Game 7 defeat wasn't merely another playoff defeat — it was another episode in a frustrating cycle that fans and management alike are equally desperate to break.
Edmonton Journal
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Craig Berube latest Leafs coach to experience no playoff pay-off
Article content Welcome to the crowded club of confounded Maple Leafs coaches, Craig Berube. Article content Like his two immediate predecessors, Mike Babcock and Sheldon Keefe, Toronto's newest bench boss saw a great regular season grind to a halt before the playoff tournament was half complete. They were hammered by the Florida Panthers in Game 5 and 7, at Scotiabank Arena by 6-1 scores that will be seared into the team's collective memory all summer. Article content 'To me, that's the most disappointing part of the series,' Berube said Sunday night. 'I can't explain it, nor do I want to. We did a great job fighting for home ice all year, had a great record. '(The Panthers) were the more desperate team, the more aggressive tonight. You win a Game 6, that's great, come home and you have to have a little desperation, determination. And we didn't have it. 'There are obviously things we have to look at and talk about as an organization.' Berube and general manager Brad Treliving will digest that in coming days. After Florida made it 3-0 in Sunday's second period, Berube lost his patience and berated the team at the bench. Mitch Marner, in possibly his last Leaf game, was shouting at teammates to wake up. Auston Matthews partially blamed the loss on 'too many passengers,' an opinion shared by Marner, yet it is getting to be a tired refrain. Those two, William Nylander and John Tavares have all been mostly silent in the six Game 7s of the Core Four Era. Article content Latest National Stories
