Brad Treliving backs Craig Berube after Maple Leafs coaching shake-up

Brad Treliving backs Craig Berube after Maple Leafs coaching shake-up

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving stood firm behind head coach Craig Berube on Tuesday, delivering a clear vote of confidence just hours after the organization fired assistant coach Marc Savard. With his team languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, Treliving used his pre-game availability to shut down speculation about a front-office disconnect and reaffirm his commitment to the man he hired in the summer of 2024.

The timing of Treliving’s public support came at a critical moment for the franchise. The Maple Leafs have dropped five of their last six games, including an ugly three-game road trip where they were outscored 14-4. Toronto’s power play ranks dead-last in the NHL at a dismal 13.3 percent, a shocking decline for a unit that finished eighth in the league last season at 24.8 percent. As pressure mounts in hockey’s most intense market, Treliving made it clear that Berube’s job is not in jeopardy—at least not yet.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM shuts down disconnect rumors with full support for Craig Berube

Brad Treliving moved decisively to quell growing speculation about potential friction within the Maple Leafs organization. Speaking before Toronto’s 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, he directly addressed rumors of a rift between management and coaching staff.

“There isn’t a disconnect,” Treliving stated emphatically. “We all have to be better.”

The general manager explained that the decision to dismiss Savard was made collaboratively, with input from the entire management team including Berube. However, he emphasized that ultimate responsibility rested with him. This transparent approach appears designed to present a unified front during the team’s most challenging stretch of the season.

Treliving’s backing of Berube represents a significant statement of stability in an otherwise turbulent environment. The Maple Leafs have struggled to find consistency since opening night, dealing with injuries, scoring slumps, and special teams failures. Despite these challenges, Treliving expressed firm belief in his head coach’s ability to navigate the storm.

“I fully believe in Craig,” Treliving said. “We’ve got a good coach. We’ve got to continue to make our team better.”

The timing of this endorsement carries particular weight. With Toronto sitting last in the Eastern Conference, speculation naturally turns to coaching security. Treliving’s comments serve to insulate Berube from direct criticism while acknowledging that changes within the coaching structure were necessary.

Marc Savard dismissal highlights power play failures for struggling Leafs

The firing of Marc Savard less than 24 hours after a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars underscored the gravity of Toronto’s special teams crisis. Savard, who joined the organization in June 2024 shortly after Berube’s hiring, oversaw a power play that has become the league’s worst unit.

Toronto has converted just 12 of 90 opportunities this season, with their last power-play goal coming on December 16 against Chicago. Since then, the team had gone 0-for-10 before Savard’s dismissal, including an 0-for-5 performance against Washington that left Berube visibly frustrated.

“The power play has actually been getting better, but tonight it was god awful, in my opinion,” Berube said after the Capitals loss.

The decision to remove Savard represents an unusual half-measure in professional sports—firing an assistant while maintaining faith in the head coach. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Maple Leafs do not plan to hire an immediate replacement, choosing instead to handle responsibilities internally. Associate coach Derek Lalonde, previously in charge of the penalty kill, will take the lead on power play duties moving forward.

This internal shuffle suggests the organization believes the problem lies more in execution and personnel than coaching philosophy. The absence of Mitch Marner, who was traded to Vegas in July after leading the team with 33 power-play points last season, has created a significant void that Toronto has been unable to fill.

Craig Berube’s leadership faces crucial test amid Maple Leafs slide

Despite Treliving’s public support, the reality remains that Craig Berube faces immense pressure to turn around the Maple Leafs’ fortunes. The team trails the New Jersey Devils by six points for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, though they would need to pass eight teams to reach that position.

Berube’s track record commands respect around the league. He guided the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019, establishing his credentials as a coach who could lead veteran teams through adversity. However, the current Maple Leafs squad appears to lack the identity and urgency necessary to compete consistently.

“We’re a veteran team, it’s inexcusable,” Berube said after a particularly listless performance in Montreal.

The challenge ahead for Berube involves more than just special teams improvement. Toronto’s even-strength play has been plagued by turnovers, inconsistent defensive zone coverage, and an inability to maintain momentum when falling behind in games. The coach has experimented with line combinations and defensive pairings, but sustained success has remained elusive.

For his part, Treliving acknowledged that adjustments have been ongoing behind the scenes.

“We’ve done that over the course of the last couple of weeks,” the GM noted. “When you get in these situations, to me, you have to band together and you look for collective solutions.”

Toronto Maple Leafs face critical holiday break ahead of playoff push

The timing of the coaching shake-up provides Toronto with a brief respite. After Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh, the Maple Leafs entered their holiday break before reconvening on December 27 to face the Ottawa Senators. This pause offers Berube and his remaining staff valuable time to implement changes without the immediate pressure of game competition.

Treliving made it clear he does not view this as a lost season, despite the current standings.

“I don’t think we’re turning the page right now on the season,” he stated.

The general manager’s confidence extends beyond coaching to the roster construction itself. While acknowledging areas needing improvement, Treliving has resisted calls for dramatic trades or additional firings. His measured approach suggests a belief that the current group, when performing to their capabilities, remains capable of mounting a playoff challenge.

However, the margin for error has shrunk considerably. With each passing game, the Maple Leafs risk falling further behind in the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. The organization faces difficult decisions if the team cannot demonstrate significant improvement in the coming weeks.

The power play represents the most obvious area requiring immediate attention. Assistant coach Derek Lalonde inherits a unit featuring elite talent like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares, yet production has fallen dramatically across the board. The trio has combined for just 15 power-play points this season, a stark contrast to their previous output.

What the future holds for Maple Leafs coaching stability

Brad Treliving’s public endorsement of Craig Berube buys time, but results will ultimately determine both men’s futures. The NHL’s coaching carousel spins quickly, and even Cup-winning bench bosses face scrutiny when teams underperform.

Historical precedent suggests assistant coach firings often serve as warning shots rather than solutions. If Toronto’s slide continues through January, questions about Berube’s job security will intensify regardless of Tuesday’s statements. The organization’s patient approach could evaporate if the team falls further from playoff contention.

Treliving maintained he would not entertain hypothetical scenarios about future coaching changes.

“I’m not going to get into hypotheticals of what happens with this,” he said. “We’ve got areas that we’ve got to get better in. It’s not lost on us where the team is at. We live it every day.”

For now, the Maple Leafs must rely on their veteran core and championship-experienced coach to navigate this storm. The upcoming schedule offers both challenges and opportunities, with divisional matchups against Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal providing chances to gain ground quickly.

Berube’s straightforward coaching style and demands for accountability have earned him respect in the locker room. Players have responded positively to his direct approach, even as losses have mounted. His ability to maintain that connection while pushing for higher performance levels will likely determine whether this season can be salvaged.

The power play woes that cost Marc Savard his job represent just one symptom of broader challenges facing this Maple Leafs iteration. Team defense, scoring depth, and mental toughness have all been questioned through the first quarter of the season. Whether Treliving’s faith in Berube proves justified depends on addressing these fundamental issues before the playoff race passes Toronto by.