Craig Berube’s First Take on Joshua, Maccelli and Roy Hints at Leafs’ New Identity
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube commented on how he feels the new additions to the roster will help the team.
Coming in last season as the replacement for Sheldon Keefe, Craig Berube instilled a new style of play for a team who was so driven by offensive flair that their turnaround into a defensive stalwart was genuinely impressive.
New additions like Chris Tanev certainly helped things, and the team began to buy in to the new strategy that turned them into Atlantic Division Champions and though they had their rough spots; it was a very successful year all things considered.
What Berube’s Early Comments Say About Toronto’s New Additions
You’re not replacing him. But we brought in three new players: Roy, Joshua and Maccelli, all sorta different types of players.
But I feel like we’re probably a deeper team, bringing in the three guys.
It was also big that both Joshua and Roy were able to be brought in as Berube loves their size; and how they play smart as well:
They’re big and heavy, and they’re long and they’re defensively responsible. They’re heavy on pucks and on the forecheck and things like that. A little more size there.
Regarding the new playmaker on his squad, Berube was happy to have Maccelli around and is anticipating big things from the young forward:
A guy like Maccelli’s coming in, this guy has a lot of ability making plays; he’s a good playmaker. I know he had the couple really good years in, I guess it would have been Arizona, before Utah.
But we’re gonna need that offence from him and that playmaking ability, too. I feel like we added size to our team and some heaviness, but also we added a pretty good playmaker that has some real upside.
Why These First Impressions Could Define the Leafs’ Style of Play
If Berube is confident that these three are going to be able to weather whatever is going to come their way, then it makes training camp a pretty easy ride at least when it comes to figuring out what each player’s role is.
Roy is penciled in as the 3C for the year, and Joshua is a flexible winger who can play anywhere in the middle six and provide physicality and an offensive touch to boot. Maccelli’s going to plug in alongside either Auston Matthews or John Tavares to give them some more playmaking.
But it seems that from Berube’s comments, he trusts his new group defensively and enough to potentially provide them premium ice-time come opening night.
While they are certainly no Mitch Marner, they are a pretty solid group and it sounds like the head coach can’t wait to get things started.
Previously on HockeyPatrol
POLL
11 HOURS AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 327 ANSWERS
Craig Berube’s First Take on Joshua, Maccelli and Roy Hints at Leafs’ New Identity
Do you think the new additions will be enough for Toronto to get past the second round?
HOCKEYPATROL.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMSÂ Â –Â Â POLICIES