Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube

TL;DR

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Craig Berube after two years. General Manager John Chayka stated the decision reflects an organizational shift rather than Berube's performance.

Key points

Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube
Berube had a two-year tenure with the team
General Manager John Chayka cited an organizational shift
Berube has two years left on his $9 million contract
The team owes Berube $4.5 million per year unless he finds a new job

Mentioned in this story

Craig BerubeJohn ChaykaMats Sundin

Toronto Maple Leafs

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

New Toronto Maple Leafs hockey executives John Chayka & Mats Sundin spent several hours chatting with head coach Craig Berube this past weekend. And coming out of it, all signs pointed to Berube surviving as Leafs coach, at least for a bit longer. But Wednesday morning, the team dropped the hammer, firing the head coach after a two-year run.

“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” said GM Chayka. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization, and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”

Berube still has two years remaining on his contract with the Leafs. The team owes him the $9 million outstanding ($4.5M per year), unless he gets hired by another team.

In his two seasons with the Buds, he posted an 84-62-18 record, with one playoff series victory. But this year’s chaotic season, and a last-place finish, sealed his fate.

Head coaching search begins for Maple Leafs

The rest of Berube’s staff’s future will be determined by whoever the new coach is. That search will now begin in earnest.

The big question is what does the “organizational shift” that Chayka refered to actually mean? Will they look for a first-year head coach rather than a recycled one?

The No. 1 candidate out there is undoubtedly former Vegas Golden Knights’ bench boss Bruce Cassidy. The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to have been turned down by Vegas in an attempt to talk to Cassidy about a potential (he’s still under contract to the Golden Knights, even though they fired him with a handful of games left in the season).

The NHL coaching carousel continues to turn.

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Q&A

Why did the Toronto Maple Leafs fire Craig Berube?

The Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube to initiate an organizational shift, not due to his coaching performance.

What is Craig Berube's contract situation after being fired?

Craig Berube has two years remaining on his contract worth $9 million, which the Maple Leafs owe unless he is hired by another team.

Who are the new executives involved in the Maple Leafs' decision?

The new executives involved in the decision to fire Craig Berube are John Chayka and Mats Sundin.