Former NHL Head Coach Shares Bold Opinion on Leafs' Playoff Hopes Under Craig Berube
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Former NHL head coach Ken Hitchcock had some surprising things to say when it comes to the Maple Leafs and head coach Craig Berube.
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold a record of 32-19-2, good enough for second place in the Atlantic Division in Craig Berube's first season as head coach.
Berube has shifted the team's focus, emphasizing team defence and a hard-to-play-against style of hockey. This is a significant change for the Leafs, as under former head coach Sheldon Keefe, the focus was more on trying to outscore their problems.
This week, an ex-NHL head coach, Ken Hitchcock, who knows Berube very well, praised both Berube's style of coaching and the Leafs' playoff potential this season.
As per LeafsLatest on X:
"The one word I'd have for Craig is relentless. He's relentless in getting things done. He's relentless in making sure that it's done the right way. And he doesn't care who you are, where you came from, or what your involvement is. He wants it done a certain way, and everybody's got to be included in that.
I think that's why, for me, Toronto is going to be a really tough out in a playoff series. I mean, they're going through ups and downs, mostly because of injuries right now. But they're going to be a tough out in the playoffs because he's got a lot of the top players playing the right way."
I think that's why, for me, Toronto is going to be a really tough out in a playoff series. I mean, they're going through ups and downs, mostly because of injuries right now. But they're going to be a tough out in the playoffs because he's got a lot of the top players playing the right way."
Berube is also known for his straightforwardness with the media, which is a departure from the norm in Toronto.
He is known for giving honest assessments of players' performances, calling-out areas for improvement, and providing clear and straightforward timelines for players' injury recoveries . He has been a breath of fresh air in Toronto.
While the team's offense has taken a back seat this season, it's clear that the Leafs are more well-rounded, making them better suited for a deep playoff run.
Although Berube's coaching style may not be for everyone, it aligns with Stanley Cup-winning hockey, as demonstrated by his success with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
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