Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs
Craig Berube has spoken out on the Toronto Maple Leafs struggles, making it clear he’s had enough.
After another unfortunate loss in which the Toronto Maple Leafs underperformed, a 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens has Craig Berube finally providing some choice words on the team’s performance.
The Leafs have been dealing with multiple injuries to their lineup, but much to Berube’s chagrin, Toronto hasn’t managed to scrap the rest of the pieces together.
Speaking on the Leafs loss, Berube expressed disappointment at Toronto’s lack of action, and the inability to dig themselves out of a tough stretch.
What Craig Berube actually said about the Maple Leafs’ lack of urgency
Craig Berube spoke after the game went wrong, and said that for a veteran team such as Toronto to lack the ability to keep in the game is a clear issue.
What I’ve seen a few times this year is when we get down a couple of goals at times, this happened in the second period where we go out there and we don’t play, we don’t play with any urgency or any confidence in the second period because we get down a couple of goals.
That’s an excuse all day long for me. This is a veteran hockey team. It’s inexcusable, and it’s on me too. It’s on all of us. And with a veteran team like that, that shouldn’t happen. – Craig Berube (via David Alter/The Hockey News)
Now with a 9-10-3 record, Berube has made it clear with his comments that he wants to see more out of his team, and he’s grown tired of a lack of urgency.
Craig Berube put clear criticism on the Leafs collapsing on themselves, and makes clear that the way they’re playing isn’t good enough for what they can get out of their talent.
Why Berube’s criticism hits harder with a veteran roster
The difficult part for the Leafs after Craig Berube’s criticism is that he’s challenging a veteran roster to do more, and makes clear a veteran team shouldn’t be struggling the way they do.
As well, Berube is criticizing the Leafs lack of control, but as well with his comments points out that the team is experienced enough to know how to keep in games, and they aren’t able to do so.
Berube admits he isn’t blameless in the Leafs not playing as well as he can, but Toronto will have to move past their losses and gain some much needed aggressiveness.
With a few days to settle down and assess how to fix things, Toronto will need to be hungry to prove they can win with whatever roster they have.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
NOVEMBRE 23Â Â Â |Â Â Â 912 ANSWERS
Craig Berube calls out the Maple Leafs’ lack of urgency, and his blunt message says everything
Are the Leafs playing aggressive enough?