Three Maple Leafs who will benefit most from having Craig Berube behind the bench
There's a new bench boss in Toronto this season and there are three Maple Leafs who stand to benefit most from the arrival of Craig Berube.
Each of Matthew Knies, Mitch Marner and Bobby McMann have a lot to prove this season, but they're also the 3 players who may just thrive the most under the tutelage of Berube, given his penchant smart two-way play.
Berube brings a very different coaching style compared to former Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe. Known for his intensity and stricter approach, Berube is also not afraid to hold star players accountable and manage their ice time more rigorously.
Knies is coming off a promising rookie season, where he accumulated 35 points in 80 games and is expected to see his numbers increase as he gains more experience. Berube will help to enhance and encourage Knies' two-way game, turning him into a formidable presence on both ends of the ice. Additionally, Berube's emphasis on physical play could highlight Knies' ability to deliver impactful hits already. This seems like a match made in heaven.
McMann, an undrafted success story, scored 15 goals in 56 games last season with the Maple Leafs and was known for his ability to get into the dirty areas of the ice, often winning puck battles with his underrated forecheck game. His style aligns well with Berube's coaching-style, so McMann is likely to see a larger role next season, which should boost his offensive numbers. The fit just seems like a good one all around and there will be plenty of opportunity for McMann in 2024-25.
Marner, who has clearly faced significant media scrutiny after a disappointing postseason where he seemed to lack intensity and character (two traits Berube values highly), may also benefit greatly from Berube's approach. Marner's two-way game is going to be an instant hit for Berube. The question is, can Berube get Marner to buy into playing playoff hockey?
Marner appears to have a positive outlook on Berube's style of coaching already:
Berube himself has spoken highly of Marner as well:
While I'm not positively sold on Marner being as good of a fit under Berube as maybe Knies or McMann, his penchant for playing solid two-way hockey may really give him a good running start with Berube in his corner. Whether or not he can continue to adapt and evolve throughout the year and add some additional playoff traits to his game, however... well, that'll be on him.
Source: Maple Leafs DailyMitch Marner issues first public comments about playing under Craig Berube
Source: Maple Leafs DailyCraig Berube officially reveals Mitch Marner's fate in Toronto
Source: HockeyDBMatthew Knies Statistics, Bobby McMann Statistics, Mitch Marner Statistics
| POLL | ||
31 AOUT | 337 ANSWERS Three Maple Leafs who will benefit most from having Craig Berube behind the bench Who on this list will see the biggest improvements under Craig Berube? | ||
| McMann | 50 | 14.8 % |
| Marner | 117 | 34.7 % |
| Knies | 137 | 40.7 % |
| Other | 33 | 9.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
