Craig Berube's Leafs bench critique hints at a bigger issue with this team
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube admitted that one issue with his bench is causing problems as the lack of communication has become obvious.
With Toronto mired in a losing skid yet again with no real way to dig themselves out right now, things are dire for the Maple Leafs. Couple that with William Nylander's antics on Sunday and you have a season that is full of blemishes.
It's frustrating as fans and it can't be easy to be a player on the roster right now, especially knowing that Craig Berube is not going to take too kindly to the lack of effort and hard work.
Craig Berube wants the Maple Leafs bench to start being more involved
But there's one issue that's become a problem too according to Berube, and it doesn't have to do with anything on the ice but rather the bench.
Berube admitted that his team has not been chatty on the bench and the silence and lack of communication to not only rally each other but to give solid advice has disappeared:
Right now, it's quiet and that's not going to help. You gotta cheer for your teammate. You gotta have energy no matter what situation.
Berube has a point. Far too often we see the Maple Leafs put in half-efforts when their backs are against the wall and while they've shown glimpses of who they can be, they really don't do it consistently at all.
Toronto's lack of communication hurting the team in more ways than one
Case in point, the team going down early to both Vegas and Colorado. In the former game, it was Scott Laughton who tried to rally everyone but it fell on deaf ears meanwhile there was really nothing said from anyone on Sunday; the most emotion was shown by Nylander in the press box.
This is a time where communication is key, and we've seen times where that comes back to bite them.
They took two too many men penalties in the same game; where's the vocalizing? Once is bound to happen in the heat of things but twice shows a disconnect between who is on the bench and who is on the ice.
You don't need to have the entire bench going nuts, but it would be nice for Craig Berube to see his players show a bit more fire and pick each other up. He can only do so much shouting himself; it's up to the players to act on it.
There's a lack of communication on the ice at times and it's seriously costing Toronto; be it defensive lapses or acting undisciplined, but their bashfulness on the bench is becoming to be a concern for Craig Berube, which is the last thing he needs right now.
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JANVIER 26|1285 ANSWERS Craig Berube's Leafs bench critique hints at a bigger issue with this team Do you think the Maple Leafs have a problem with their bench? | ||
| Yes | 1104 | 85.9 % |
| No | 181 | 14.1 % |
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