Craig Berube's System Making an Impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs: Early Results are Promising

With the failure of the 2023-2024 season fresh in their minds, the Maple Leafs needed to make a change. It didn't take long before they fired Sheldon Keefe and replaced him with former St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube. Many questions arose about how Berube would utilize the roster, given his tendency to expect more defense, grit and toughness as opposed to the speedier, more finesse-based game plan of Keefe.

But three games into the season, Toronto looks like they have a new lease on life. Relentless forechecking, increased offensive zone pressure, shutdown defense who knows where to be, and a bottom-six that can contribute both offensively and defensively; it's worked out so far and it's how Berube envisions his team every time they take the ice. It seems the Maple Leafs are slowly realizing that Berube's style is not only the polar opposite of Keefe's, but it's successful.

Through the three games, Toronto has played this season, a lot of their contributions have come from outside of their Core Four (minus William Nylander) with Max Pacioretty, Steven Lorentz, Max Domi, and Bobby McMann all scoring goals. The team has been a nightmare for opponents in the offensive zone, stringing pass after pass and always fighting to keep the puck in; though they probably should shoot more on the PP.

The defense has been fantastic thus far, with Chris Tanev being as advertised and Oliver Ekman-Larsson doing his part not only offensively, but also getting up close and personal with anyone who skates past him. It's a symbol of Berube's ever-growing game plan of intimidation.

Speaking of intimidation, the goaltending situation in Toronto has been a bright spot, even if it didn't start that way. Free agent pickup Anthony Stolarz has proven why he is one of the best backups in the league, and has slowly started to show #1 starter potential and keeping his momentum up would all but assure that. Standing 6'6, Stolarz gives opponents barely any room to shoot and his presence for any forwards in front of the net should keep them at a distance. Behind him stands an even bigger goaltender in Dennis Hildeby, who impressed with his first career win last Thursday and could easily find himself a competent backup for Stolarz should he get the #1.

A new vision was given this offseason by GM Brad Treliving, and so far, the results have been promising to say the least. Toronto is playing with more fire, passion, and heart than it feels they have in a long time. This was echoed during an episode of Real Kyper & Bourne, where co-host Justin Bourne praised Berube and the Leafs early in the season:

No longer should fans be scared about Toronto's shortcomings, as they've finally got the pieces needed for a successful playoff run; and the team is all-in on Berube.