Craig Berube doesn't hold back after the Maple Leafs' fifth straight home loss
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Craig Berube didn't mince words in his post-game media comments as he called out the Maple Leafs for their defensive shortcomings during a critical homestand.
Suffice to say, it's not easy being the Toronto Maple Leafs or their fans right now. The team has lost five in a row, look as bad as they ever have, and it might be time for them to accept fate, pack it in, and try to recoup as many assets as possible.
They've lost five in a row, going 0-4-1 on their homestand, and it was a poor effort from everyone over that span as the team was outscored 25-12 over that span with their latest being a 7-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Craig Berube blasts Maple Leafs for horrendous homestand
It's unacceptable especially given the expectations, and it was Craig Berube who didn't mince words after the game when speaking to the media.
Berube flat out called his team out, saying they weren't good enough and they had ample opportunities to come out with victories but their lack of effort and awareness cost them dearly:
We've got to learn to keep the puck out of our net.
We didn't do that here at home other than the Detroit game.
Until we decide to do things right & keep the puck out of our net - and that's the goalies included - this is what you're going to get.
We didn't do that here at home other than the Detroit game.
Until we decide to do things right & keep the puck out of our net - and that's the goalies included - this is what you're going to get.
He didn't stop there, reiterating the team will keep losing games if they put in the same effort:
We scored enough goals on this home stand to win games. But we didn't keep the puck out of our net. We score goals.
Until we want to keep the puck out of our net, this is what we're going to get.
Until we want to keep the puck out of our net, this is what we're going to get.
Pretty much the general consensus in Toronto is that the Maple Leafs aren't only playing bad, but there's no real direction on what to do going forward.
So what next? Looking at some options for the Maple Leafs
Firing Berube sounds like the most boring business move possible and it's really weird to throw him under the bus when he had such a successful season last year. Mitch Marner was not the sole reason Toronto won the Atlantic; he helped but this is a more balanced team.
They could decide to clean house and get rid of fan favourites while trying to get as many assets as possible. Sell high on Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, get what you can for Bobby McMann, and don't rule out trading Anthony Stolarz either.
It doesn't help them now but at least gives them more of a foundation for the future, and while it will be unfortunate to see some of these players go, there are not many other options.
Or they do what they've always tended to do. Stand pat, hope things get better and ride it out as best they can.
Well for that it's gotten them a decade of failure and disappointment with 2025-26 the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae.
There's no more excuses for Craig Berube or the Maple Leafs. They are bad, and things need changing.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs scouts keep showing up for the same team, and it's starting to look like a trade is brewing
Maple Leafs scouts keep showing up for the same team, and it's starting to look like a trade is brewing
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 28|1265 ANSWERS Craig Berube doesn't hold back after the Maple Leafs' fifth straight home loss Is it time for the Maple Leafs to fire Craig Berube and start rebuilding? | ||
| Yes | 826 | 65.3 % |
| No | 439 | 34.7 % |
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