Craig Berube must stay but the role that fits him best has nothing to do with being head coach
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Craig Berube shouldn't be head coach of the Maple Leafs, but there is still a spot for him behind the bench so long as he doesn't mind being an assistant.
There's been a lot said about whether or not Craig Berube is a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs and with how this season turned out you could argue it wasn't great.
The team gave up way too many goals and even more chances. What was thought to be a grinding, tough team was actually one that couldn't find their way out of their zone and had no clue about any type of defensive structure.
Granted, that wasn't entirely Berube's fault but if he can't wrangle his assistants in a bit more, then it's going to fall on him. He's likely headed for the unemployment line however there is still a place for him with the Maple Leafs so long as he doesn't mind taking a bit of a backseat.
Berube proved in St. Louis that he knows how to ignite a room and the Maple Leafs new head coach needs exactly that beside him
With Berube not necessarily fitting the head coach role anymore, there is still a world where he could be one of the best assistants in the game. If he can add some old-school culture and toughness alongside an analytical and data-driven strategy then it's the best of both worlds.
Let's say you hire a name like Misha Donskov. He's someone who can take the numbers and apply them mid-game to get players back on track. But sometimes you need a bit of a louder and gruffer voice to get that point across and that's where Berube comes in.
Say what you want but he commands respect and won't shy away from getting in the ears of his players, but if he is following a different game plan and used more as a motivator then it could prove very fruitful. Donskov can tell players where they need to improve and Berube can give them the motivation to give 100% every time.
We've seen it before where Berube will give fiery speeches pre and post game filled with colourful language, but behind the fury lies a message — do whatever it takes. That's the motivation Toronto needs alongside a coach who can apply the hard data properly.
The Maple Leafs need a smart technical head coach and Berube as assistant solves the culture problem without starting over
Plus it would genuinely be interesting to see Berube take over for Mike Van Ryn who focuses on the defensive side.
Berube is not a bad coach and if he had the right people in place on the blueline, could find a way to maximize their potential within the defensive zone. Toronto needs a high-tempo offense; no dump and chase. But their defense needs to be a bit more grounded which Berube can offer.
Right now the focus has to be on bringing in a head coach who can be more technical, more strategic and cerebral. Not to say Berube can't be that; but he's of an older generation so a lot could get lost in translation.
But as Toronto moves into an era defined more by numbers, analytics, and trying to establish competitiveness once again, that means the era of grit and toughness takes a backseat just as quick as it arrived.
Though it doesn't have to go away for good, it just can't be the focal point. Much like Berube can't be the head coach.
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