Craig Berube\u2019s future as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs remains in limbo as the team searches for its next head of hockey operations, but the 60-year-old said Thursday he expects to be back behind the bench next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Berube simply told reporters when asked during Toronto\u2019s locker room cleanout if he expects to return. He added, however, that he has not been given any indication from the club as of yet. <\/p>\n
MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley said last month that Berube\u2019s future with the team would be determined by the new leader of the front office, who he was hoping to have in placeat some point in May.<\/p>\n
The Maple Leafs will finish fifth-last in the NHL this season as their nine-year streak of playoff appearances has come to\u00a0an\u00a0end. Toronto posted a 32-36-14 record on the season, finishing\u00a0with\u00a078 points, 30\u00a0fewer\u00a0than their 2024-25 total.<\/p>\n
Uncertainty around Berube\u2019s future has lingered throughout a\u00a0disappointing\u00a0campaign and reached a fever pitch when Pelley fired general manager Brad Treliving just over two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think about it, guys. I mean, I really don\u2019t. You probably think I\u2019m bullsh–ting you, but I\u2019m not,\u201d Berube told reporters after Treliving was fired. \u201cI feel for Brad right now and his family. That\u2019s what I feel right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported at the time that Berube had been given no indication on his future from the franchise, but was given a heads up on Treliving\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n
In his first season with the club, Berube helped guide Toronto to an Atlantic Division title with a 52-26-4 record, also securing the team\u2019s second playoff series win over the past decade, defeating the Ottawa Senators<\/a> in six games.<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers<\/a> in the second round, losing 6-1 on home ice in Game 7.<\/p>\n