The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Craig Berube after a disappointing season. General manager John Chayka will now search for a new head coach to lead the team moving forward.
Key points
Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube
General manager John Chayka will search for a new head coach
The team aims to return to contention in the coming seasons
Auston Matthews' future is uncertain amid the coaching change
Gavin McKenna is expected to arrive during the NHL Draft
Weeks after the end of a dismal season, the Maple Leafs cut opted to cut ties with head coach Craig Berube.
Toronto relieved the veteran coach of his duties on Wednesday morning, spelling an end to a two-year run that started with promise but ended in ruins.
General manager John Chayka will lead the search for a new head coach. Few decisions will prove more consequential to the team's hopes. With speculation running rife regarding Auston Matthews' future and Gavin McKenna expected to arrive during the NHL Draft, times are a-changin' for the Maple Leafs. They'll look for a fresh face to lead their ranks as they attempt to return to contention in the coming few seasons.
With that, here's a look at some potential replacement options Toronto could look at following Berube's dismissal.
Cassidy leads the list of potential Berube replacements. The former Vegas boss led the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup win during the 2022-23 season. Under his tutelage, Vegas made the postseason on three occasions. The Golden Knights were on pace to make a fourth when they sacked Cassidy with eight games left in the 2025-26 season.
At his peak, Cassidy is one of hockey's finest tactical. He's available and has shown a penchant for helping experienced players reach their potential. Cassidy is a bit of an unknown in terms of youth development — a concerning trend for a side expected to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the draft. Nevertheless, Toronto wants to win sooner rather than later. Cassidy is its best bet to accomplish that feat.
2. David Carle, Denver University head coach
Carle's name has swirled around NHL vacancies for some time. The Denver University coach is widely seen as the next great tactician, having led the Pioneers to the 2022, 2024 and 2026 national championships. Carle also has coached the U.S.'s World Junior team, spotlighting his gifts as a developer of young talent.
At 36 years old, Carle has plenty of time to take the leap and enter the NHL ranks. There's little evidence he will spurn the Mile High City for new pastures. But if he does, the Maple Leafs have to be considered one of the favorites for his signature.
Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Imagn Images
3. Patrick Roy, former Avalanche and Islanders head coach
A Canadian icon, Roy first came to prominence in Montreal colors during his playing career. On the coaching side, he's out of work, losing his job with the Islanders four games before the end of the season.
Roy has a checkered history as a head coach, earning just two playoff appearances across five seasons. His time with the QMJHL's Quebec Ramparts could inspire confidence that he could help lead a youth revolution in Toronto. However, his lack of postseason success makes him a risk, especially for a roster with aims to dance among the league's elite.
4. John Gruden, Toronto Marlies head coach
Gruden is a bit of an outsider compared to some of his counterparts, plying his trade in the AHL with the Maple Leafs' affiliate, the Marlies. Under his tutelage, the Marlies have emerged as one of the AHL's better sides. Gruden is a young head coach with a promising future. If Chayka and Co. wanted to go in-house with their next appointment, he'd be an ideal choice, although it's unclear if he has the clout to convince Matthews to stay in Leaf colors for another year.
5. Peter Laviolette, former NHL head coach
Laviolette is a known entity at the head-coaching level, having led the Hurricanes to the 2006 title. He hasn't been able to match that success as of late, although his recent teams such as the Rangers, Capitals and Predators have tended to compete for postseason berths and deep playoff runs. He'd hardly set off fireworks in the Scotiabank Arena concourses, though.
