Can The Maple Leafs Get Better With Andy O’Brien?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone deep in remaking their team since they fired Brad Treliving earlier this year, and the hiring of Andy O’Brien could be seen as another major move to get the team back into playoff contention.

O’Brien’s Record in Sports Performance is a Gold-Plated One

The hiring of O’Brien completely revamps Toronto’s sports performance department and continues the franchise’s quest to revamp its organization throughout.

It all started when the Maple Leafs hired John Chayka and Mats Sundin. Chayka hired Jim Hiller to coach the team a month later.

Toronto then snagged the number-one overall pick in this year’s NHL entry draft and took Gavin McKenna.

Those were big steps, and the O’ Brien move is another.

O’Brien noted that he was “incredibly honoured to join the Maple Leafs,” O’Brien said. “From my first discussions with John and the leadership group, it was clear that this organization is dedicated to industry-leading player care and supporting the individual athlete in every way possible.”

2025-26 was Toronto’s Worst Atlantic Division Finish in a Decade

The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs in 2025–26, finishing eighth in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference. It marked their first last-place finish in the Atlantic since 2015–16, the same year they selected Auston Matthews first overall.

Toronto ranked 31st in goals against, allowing 3.60 per game, while their penalty kill was a surprising bright spot, finishing eighth in the league. Offensively, they were middle of the pack, scoring 253 goals—good for 16th overall.

Despite those respectable offensive numbers, the hiring of O’Brien suggests the organization is focused on improving fitness and on-ice performance, with the goal of making a significant climb in the standings.

John Chayka’s statement regarding O’Brien’s hiring was shared in a recent CBC article. “Andy’s record as an innovator and winner, coupled with his values, philosophy and vision, are wholly aligned with what we are building here in Toronto.”

The Florida Panthers Were O’Brien’s First NHL Stop

O’Brien has 25 years of experience and began his career in 2005 with the Florida Panthers as their head strength and conditioning coach. He leaves the Florida Panthers, where he has worked since 2021, after helping the team reach three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances and win in 2024 and 2025.