The Maple Leafs didn’t just fire an assistant coach this week — they sent a very deliberate message about who is, and isn’t, under scrutiny. Frankly, the whole thing smells funny.
By dismissing Marc Savard while publicly and repeatedly backing head coach Craig Berube, Leafs GM Brad Treliving made it clear the organization is doubling down on its direction. This wasn’t a coaching reset. It was a minor shakeup meant to point fingers at an obvious small problem while denying blame at higher levels of coaching and management, where the real problems exist.
According to reporting from The Athletic, Savard’s removal came down to results — specifically, a power play that has been among the league’s worst and has directly cost Toronto points in the standings. That explanation is fair on its face. Twelve power-play goals all season isn’t good enough, and change was inevitable somewhere on the staff.
But context matters.
Treliving Maple Leafs problem
The Leafs’ struggles extend far beyond the man advantage. Five-on-five play has been inconsistent. Defensive structure has wavered. Accountability — particularly from the top of the roster — has been a recurring question. There are personnel and leadership issues at the core of this roster. How it has been constructed is of grave concern. Yet instead of widening the scope, Toronto made a targeted change while reinforcing its belief in the head coach.
That’s the troubling double down that most fans understand is likely to change very little in the larger picture: the Maple Leafs trying to be a serious Stanley Cup contender.
The Leafs Are Going to Live Or Die With Berube Behind the Bench and Treliving Calling the Shots
”This doesn’t absolve anybody,” Treliving said. “This is not, we throw somebody out and say, ‘blame this person’. It’s a group responsibility.” Yet, the only change is Savard. The article notes, “Treliving said the decision to fire Savard was made in consultation with Berube as well as the management team..” In other words, they all got together and decided to make Savard the scapegoat. Perhaps the change was needed.
But, the only change?
Meanwhile, Treliving didn’t just say Berube has his support — he emphasized it. Twice. In doing so, the Leafs closed the door on speculation about a larger coaching upheaval and pushed responsibility back into the room. This wasn’t about finding a scapegoat, even if it looks that way on the surface. It was about drawing a line and saying: this is the staff, now perform.
The fact that Treliving believes the roster will respond might be this organization’s biggest problem. Sure, a kick that lasts a few games might be the result of the change. However, at the root of the roster is a handful of players who beat to their own drum and know, eventually, they’ll likely outlast any decisions made to the chain of executives above them.
Public accountability for the players matters.
Next: The Maple Leafs Need To Make a Decision on Easton Cowan
