Maple Leafs GM Addresses Craig Berube's Job Security

The Toronto Maple Leafs began Craig Berube’s second campaign at the helm with Stanley Cup aspirations.

Close to halfway through the season, however, the Leafs are last in the Atlantic Division and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

On Monday, the team fired assistant coach Marc Savard, who had been in charge of Toronto’s league-worst power play. The unit had produced just 12 goals all season and converted at a rate of 13.3% before Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Just hours after the move, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving addressed the media to discuss the firing and where things stand within the franchise. He made it clear the shake-up wasn’t about pointing blame at a single person.

“This doesn’t absolve anybody,” Treliving said. “This is not, we throw somebody out and say, ‘Blame this person.’ It’s a group responsibility.”

Treliving added that the decision was discussed with Berube and others, but ultimately it was his call. The general manager reiterated that there was no disconnect inside the organization.

“One of the narratives coming out was there is a disconnect between the coach and I,” Treliving said. “There isn’t a disconnect. We all have to be better.”

Berube, meanwhile, acknowledged his disappointment in losing Savard, calling him a “good friend.” That said, the head coach accepted the burden and blamed himself for the Leafs’ power-play struggles.

“We didn’t perform well enough, and it’s ultimately on me,” Berube said. “It’s on everybody. It’s on me. I’m the head coach.”

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving reacts to a question during an introductory press conference.Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Treliving, however, emphasized his trust in the head coach and backed Berube up just a few days after he first showed public support for Berube in mid-November.

“I want to make it clear: I support Craig fully,” Treliving said. “It’s not lost on us where the team’s at. We live it every day. But I think we’ve got a real good coach.”

Toronto improved to 16-15-5 with its win over the Penguins on Tuesday and will host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Maple Leafs GM Addresses Craig Berube’s Job Security

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