Is Craig Berube showing signs of change? A deep dive into the Maple Leafs’ recent improvements
January 3, 2026
Is Craig Berube showing signs of change? A deep dive into the Maple Leafs’ recent improvements
12 comments
I have no idea how, but since firing Savard both the style of play and the vibes changed for the better. I doubt it’s something Chief did overnight.
No. Its always been berube
Big fan of Anthony Petrelli and his analysis. Here’s hoping the team continues to tweak their breakouts and focus on their forecheck being able to do the job.
Great article with specific examples of how their style of play seems to have changed since acquiring Stecher/moving on from Savard.
Hell ya brothers. Positive changes.
If changing an assistant coach did so much good, I would think a good head coach would do even better. Unfortunately, not many of them are available this time of year. I’m not saying Berube is terrible but he’s trotted out some bizarre line combinations.
I genuinely wonder how much the Pete DeBoer call/text might have helped. Not like they exchanged ideas, but it would have made Berube acutely aware of the coaching change pressure from the fans/media in a way he couldn’t have ignored or avoided otherwise.
Style of play is totally different since Christmas. Possession, less dump and chase and best of all fun to watch again!
If Berube continues to adjust not only will the team improve but fewer people will call for his head. The team was going nowhere fast, it’s a good thing that Craig isn’t so stubborn that he refused to change his ways.
The biggest nothing burger of a column.
“Additionally, the rush defense that plagued them at the start of the season has been cleaned up with a proper F3.”
Every hockey team from u9 to the NHL recognizes the importance of an F3? Oh Stanley Cup champion coach and veteran of over 1000 NHL games Craig Berube just realized over a few Christmas rums that “shit I’ve forgotten all year that we need to have a proper F3. We better start with that now”. So stupid.
“In terms of the structure of the Leafs’ play, their breakouts are using the middle of the ice more lately, and they are exiting their zone cleaner as a result”.
Again, every hockey team I’ve ever played on or watched wants to break the puck out cleanly and get it to the middle of the ice with speed to help with a clean offensive zone entry. Another bright idea over a few Christmas rums I’m sure to decide “We’re probably better off if we can make a few crisp passes to an open guy with some forward momentum out of our zone I guess hey?”.
Sports writer dorks seriously love to grab onto any minute detail or clip they can find that they think speaks to their larger understanding of the game instead of just admitting that it’s the fastest game on the planet with guys making split second decisions and that other teams are really good at making it hard for you to execute what you want to do. These things are just all things that happen when some confidence is gained, some chemistry forms, you settle into your roles on the team, you get familiar with opponents, all that type of stuff that isn’t just just Craig Berube saying “Durr Durr we go middle of ice now!!”.
It was long stated that Bérubé let his assistants largely set the systems
It is very possible that Savard was running more than just the PP
Nylander played like he was ecstatic the game after Savard was fired
I think the real Berube’s been locked in a basement somewhere, and DeBoer is wearing a Berube disguise to coach the team
12 comments
I have no idea how, but since firing Savard both the style of play and the vibes changed for the better. I doubt it’s something Chief did overnight.
No. Its always been berube
Big fan of Anthony Petrelli and his analysis. Here’s hoping the team continues to tweak their breakouts and focus on their forecheck being able to do the job.
Great article with specific examples of how their style of play seems to have changed since acquiring Stecher/moving on from Savard.
Hell ya brothers. Positive changes.
If changing an assistant coach did so much good, I would think a good head coach would do even better. Unfortunately, not many of them are available this time of year. I’m not saying Berube is terrible but he’s trotted out some bizarre line combinations.
I genuinely wonder how much the Pete DeBoer call/text might have helped. Not like they exchanged ideas, but it would have made Berube acutely aware of the coaching change pressure from the fans/media in a way he couldn’t have ignored or avoided otherwise.
Style of play is totally different since Christmas. Possession, less dump and chase and best of all fun to watch again!
If Berube continues to adjust not only will the team improve but fewer people will call for his head. The team was going nowhere fast, it’s a good thing that Craig isn’t so stubborn that he refused to change his ways.
The biggest nothing burger of a column.
“Additionally, the rush defense that plagued them at the start of the season has been cleaned up with a proper F3.”
Every hockey team from u9 to the NHL recognizes the importance of an F3? Oh Stanley Cup champion coach and veteran of over 1000 NHL games Craig Berube just realized over a few Christmas rums that “shit I’ve forgotten all year that we need to have a proper F3. We better start with that now”. So stupid.
“In terms of the structure of the Leafs’ play, their breakouts are using the middle of the ice more lately, and they are exiting their zone cleaner as a result”.
Again, every hockey team I’ve ever played on or watched wants to break the puck out cleanly and get it to the middle of the ice with speed to help with a clean offensive zone entry. Another bright idea over a few Christmas rums I’m sure to decide “We’re probably better off if we can make a few crisp passes to an open guy with some forward momentum out of our zone I guess hey?”.
Sports writer dorks seriously love to grab onto any minute detail or clip they can find that they think speaks to their larger understanding of the game instead of just admitting that it’s the fastest game on the planet with guys making split second decisions and that other teams are really good at making it hard for you to execute what you want to do. These things are just all things that happen when some confidence is gained, some chemistry forms, you settle into your roles on the team, you get familiar with opponents, all that type of stuff that isn’t just just Craig Berube saying “Durr Durr we go middle of ice now!!”.
It was long stated that Bérubé let his assistants largely set the systems
It is very possible that Savard was running more than just the PP
Nylander played like he was ecstatic the game after Savard was fired
I think the real Berube’s been locked in a basement somewhere, and DeBoer is wearing a Berube disguise to coach the team