A new report from Maple Leafs insider Nick Alberga shows that while they are really trying hard not to fire Craig Berube, they may have no other options left.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs lose another game, it feels like things are getting more and more dire by the day. Piling losses, inconsistent performances, and a team who looks disconnected both on and off the ice; it's a volatile combination that could come to a head soon.
While there's no indication the club is going to fire Craig Berube, he has seemingly lost the locker room, and his repeated acknowledgement of the team's issues and lack of mental fortitude has rubbed many the wrong way, and when he and the captain aren't on the same page -- something's gotta give.
Toronto's stubbornness may be the nail in the coffin for 2025-26 season
It would be an easy fix to just get rid of Berube, bring someone in and try to make something out of nothing, but that's not the easiest thing to do, especially when Berube has proven to be successful, including with a majority of the roster he currently has.
According to Nick Alberga however, they may have no other choice:
Things can change quickly, but behind the scenes, it sure sounds like the Leafs' preference is to not make a coaching change.
That said, as the losses & inconsistent efforts continue to pile up, it really feels like Brad Treliving may have no choice here.
We've really not heard a peep out of Brad Treliving or Keith Pelley and you'd think that during one of the most tumultuous times in recent memory, they would at least throw their opinion into the mix.
We know Treliving loves Berube and even during the team's early season struggles had the utmost confidence in him. That has to be waning now, and while he certainly feels bad about letting the coach go; this isn't a friendship.
Time for Toronto to start caring about their team again
This is a business, and your business is to win championships. The Maple Leafs were notorious for saying 'We don't want to sell jerseys,' but have done nothing to prove that isn't true, and they're losing fans at a rapid pace.
Look at Buffalo. The NHL's laughingstock for 10+ years has just gone on a tear, looks hungry and motivated, and finally have someone who can steer them in the right direction.
Oh, wanna know what else they've done? Fire their GM. Maybe Toronto should take notes.
Nobody wants to see this team play right now, and while that isn't exactly all on Berube, when there is failure it's the coach who goes 9 out of 10 times. Maybe a new voice can come in and quiet things, set the stars back on the right path and perhaps salvage a once hopeless season.
But if Alberga is to be believed, and the Maple Leafs are standing firmly behind Craig Berube?
Just accept the fact that the team has given up on Berube, and by proxy, by doing nothing; have given up on the fans too.