Craig Berube frustrated with Maple Leafs’ inconsistent identity

Craig Berube isn’t satisfied with the way the Toronto Maple Leafs have started this season.

Berube spoke to the media after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, and Toronto’s head coach is not thrilled with what he’s seeing from his hockey club through the first six games.

“We did good things, but like I’ve said, we’re just inconsistent. We’re not consistent enough in our game, we don’t play to our identity the whole game,” stated Berube during his postgame scrum. Toronto’s off to a 3-2-1 start, and while there’s been some stretches of brilliance, Berube isn’t happy with the way the team has fallen off in key moments.

One area Berube would like to see some changes made would be Toronto’s willingness to clear the front of the net for goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz has been bumped multiple times this season, and as we know, missed the end of the Leafs’ playoff run last season thanks to Florida Panthers Sam Bennett knocking him out of the lineup with a concussion. Berube feels it’s time somebody stepped up and showed some willingness to stick up for their goalie.

“No, I’ve talked about it already before,” Berube stated when asked about how satisfied he is with his team sticking up for Stolarz. “Not good enough. In general, we’re not clearing out the crease enough. We’re not doing a good enough job there. We have to protect our goalie and be harder around our net. I’m not preaching go and take guy’s heads off, but, enough is enough.”

Berube has liked certain elements of Maple Leafs through six games, but he’s certainly not happy with the level of toughness and consistency he’s seen so far. The team’s not sticking to their structure for 60 minutes, and they’re certainly not sticking up for each other enough, and especially for Stolarz.

“Well, we did a good job of it last year, so I don’t know what the key is. It’s a willingness to do it, more than anything for me.”

Another area of the team Berube was asked about was the top six. While he’s preached inconsistency so far this season, he’s also been juggling his top two lines a lot through the first six contests. On Saturday night against the Kraken, Easton Cowan started on the top line and finished on the fourth, meanwhile Bobby McMann was bumped off the second line as Berube had the blender out against Seattle.

“Well, listen, it’s not good enough. Not consistent enough, I’m not seeing enough, so, I’ll move guys around, and switch the lines up in the game if I have to. That’s what I do.”

It appears likely there will be plenty of lineup changes ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils, as it’s clear as day that Berube is searching for answers early on this season.