The Maple Leafs' Biggest Gamble of 2025-26 Season Could Define Everything
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs gave a lot of power to Craig Berube since the departure of Brendan Shanahan, though his job might depend on how the 2025-26 season ends up.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs deciding to part ways with Brendan Shanahan this summer, it signalled a changing of the guard for the Maple Leafs as MLSE CEO Keith Pelley chose to give more power to GM Brad Treliving as well as head coach Craig Berube.
The New Authority Craig Berube Holds in Toronto
It was meant to give them a roster that they can both work with synergistically, and while there certainly were a bunch of good additions to the team, losing Mitch Marner is definitely going to sting, and there's still some questions about how the lineup will play out.
He's certainly done his work, and no doubt had a hand in bringing in former player Dakota Joshua, as well as confirming that Nic Roy and Michael Pezzetta were good fits for the lineup.
A lot is riding on this season, and yet another failed postseason run might just be the end of the Craig Berube experiment, though should it be?
On one hand, you have The Hockey News' recent article regarding coaches on the hot seat this season, and Berube's name was mentioned a bit surprisingly:
The Leafs now have a deep group of forwards that play a game Berube prefers. In 2025-26, time will tell whether the Leafs were right to give the coach a greater say in matters, including their most recent roster restructuring.
Oh, and there's also the matter of winning the Atlantic Division again and pushing past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Berube's tasks are clear and straightforward. If Toronto fails to improve next season, he may have a warmer seat on the Original Six franchise.
Oh, and there's also the matter of winning the Atlantic Division again and pushing past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Berube's tasks are clear and straightforward. If Toronto fails to improve next season, he may have a warmer seat on the Original Six franchise.
It's a bold assumption to think that the team would give up on a coach who has brought them success as well as a new identity that was desperately needed, and it might be a bit premature to give up on the coach.
Why Berube's Control Could Make or Break the Leafs' Season
You've gotta give Berube time, and having one season where they won the Atlantic, dominated defensively, and looked a stark contrast to the team of old; then turning around because he can't replicate that and firing him is foolish.
You're asking Berube to try and get 100 points out of a new roster that doesn't necessarily have those chops, and the constant need to replace Marner has overshadowed the fact that perhaps Toronto is better off without that extra star and works better by committee.
But if the team can't take advantage of Matthew Tkachuk's absence for over half the season, and aren't able to find their players gelling together quickly enough to make a push?
Things might start heating up a bit more for Berube.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 1381 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs' Biggest Gamble of 2025-26 Season Could Define Everything Should Craig Berube be fired if the Maple Leafs lose in the playoffs this season? | ||
| Yes | 358 | 25.9 % |
| No | 1023 | 74.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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