Former Maple Leafs coach reveals why Craig Berube gets his seal of approval
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Former Leafs coach Dallas Eakins gives Craig Berube his seal of approval, reveals why he thinks Berube will help push the Leafs further than ever before.
Eakins coached in the Leafs' organization from 2005-2013 before leaving to join the Edmonton Oilers and then the Anaheim Ducks. Recently, he was on 'Leafs Morning Take' and discussed the hiring of Craig Berube and why he thinks bringing in Berube was a great decision.
"With Chief coming in, I thought that was a great hire. That is a Stanley Cup-winning coach. There's no BS, no tip-toeing around any issues with Chief - he hits him head-on.
I know the passion of that Toronto market. It's either win or bust, it's either parade or doom, that's just how that market is. This is why I love Chief there. Chief is not going to give a crap about what anybody is thinking."
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While Eakins believes the hiring of Berube was a great decision, he did praise former coach Sheldon Keefe for the job he did before emphasizing why he believes Berube will find success with the Leafs.
"I think Sheldon Keefe did a hell of a job. I think he did everything he could but I do think Chief coming in there will give the team a different way of doing things, a different voice on how to encourage them and inspire them to do things.
Chief has already taken a team all the way down the road to win a Stanley Cup and he certainly knows what it takes to get there. I think they really hit it out of the park with the general manager, with Chief and Lambert coming in."
With Berube's "no bull" attitude, one thing to keep an eye on is how the Leafs' stars respond to actually being disciplined and called out for mistakes throughout the season and how that affects the locker room.
Check out Eakins' full comments in the full interview below:
Source: Hockey Reference Dallas Eakins coaching history
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