Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Berube as Saviour & Hyman’s Postseason

Keefe’s emotional farewell video also suggests how much he cared to do well and how much people within the organization strove for success. He looked deeply thankful as well as deeply sad over his dismissal. If it were simply about the money, he might be more focused on enjoying his new-found free time and the millions of dollars in his pocket. Moreover, given his track record and reputation, Keefe will likely find that multiple teams will compete for his services when he returns to coaching.

So, does MLSE care only about the bottom line, or are they making significant investments to ensure the Maple Leafs’ success? The substantial payouts to former coaches suggest a commitment to finding the right leadership to propel the team forward, even at a considerable financial cost.

Item Two: Is Berube As Good as Fans Think?

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have a new coach, Craig Berube. As usual, the Toronto media has anointed him as the latest saviour of the team. After all, he took a St. Louis Blues team last at the midpoint of the season to the Stanley Cup in 2019. However, they often overlook that the Blues fired him after failing to make the playoffs for the past two years, replacing him with Drew Bannister, who had never coached a single game in the NHL before.

It’s not that Berube is a lousy coach. He’s likely an excellent coach. He’ll appeal to “old school” types who like his hard-nosed approach to the game. But to anoint him as a saviour is a bit premature. All it will take for that idea to go away is a four- or five-game losing streak, especially if it happens in October. Let’s wait and have this conversation at the end of May 2025.

Two adages come to mind when considering the Maple Leafs’ present situation. Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving used one at their most recent news conference: “Everything is on the table.” The other adage is, “It is easier to replace the coach than to replace the team.”

Item Three: Ex-Maple Leaf Zach Hyman Having an Amazing Postseason

Former Maple Leafs player Zach Hyman has been a revelation for the Oilers this postseason, showing his elite scoring ability and versatility. He has seamlessly transitioned into a crucial role for the Oilers, proving an indispensable part of their playoff success.

Hyman’s standout performance began in the series against the Los Angeles Kings, where he opened the playoffs with a hat trick and an assist in a 7-4 victory. His chemistry with Connor McDavid was evident as he dominated the ice, contributing offensively and with his physical play. This strong start set the tone for his postseason, significantly highlighting his ability to lead and influence games.

Continuing his impressive run, Hyman scored pivotal goals and made critical plays throughout the series against the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks. His two-goal performance in Game 1 against the Canucks and the game-winning goal in Game 6 illustrates his clutch-scoring ability. Despite facing tough competition, he has consistently delivered. He’s been a standout player in the playoffs. This remarkable postseason performance underscores his value and the significant impact he has had since leaving the Maple Leafs.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

This is going to be a busy offseason for the Maple Leafs. Many changes are on the horizon, and some are good. The influx of good young players is positive in several ways. First, it eases the pressure on the salary cap; and, second, it encourages other prospects in the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Toronto Marlies.

There will undoubtedly be significant interest in the possible contract extensions of John Tavares and Mitch Marner. Tavares is playing lights out internationally with Team Canada at the World Championship. What will happen with Marner and Tavares this offseason could be pivotal for the team’s future.

As the Maple Leafs engage in making these changes, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how these moves shape the roster and the team’s prospects for success in the coming seasons.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]