Craig Berube Sparks Concern After Locker Room Details Emerge

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, in his 32 Thoughts column published Saturday, noted that what’s missing for Toronto doesn't have to do with any specific player, but rather something deeper impacting the whole locker room.

“There’s a lot of heat on Berube,” Friedman wrote. “The connection between Craig Berube and his players. Berube is not hard to play for. If you compete, he gives you a long leash. But we’re seeing him angrier and angrier on the bench, more often than coaches show.”

Friedman noted how Berube has become increasingly visible on the bench when angry, pointing to the coach's steady, harsh comments toward his players in postgame press conferences.

"There’s been several exchanges with William Nylander," Friedman reported. "Coaches have to pick their spots with that stuff, and it’s rare you see them do it twice [after Tuesday's and Thursday's losses] so close together. He’s not covering for them."

Berube was vocal once again during Friday’s practice, reportedly having a back-and-forth exchange with Nylander and separate extended talks with Tavares.

When asked about the team’s lack of urgency following the loss against the Capitals, Berube said, “Ask those guys, not me,” with Siegel noting how he used the term "those" instead of "we" or "us," hinting at a disconnect.

Friedman also wondered if the Leafs are experiencing ill effects from their collapse in last season’s seven-game series against the Florida Panthers under Berube’s leadership.

“Did that loss smash the group’s belief in him and each other?” Friedman wrote. “It’s hard to watch now and not think about last season’s loss, wondering if the hangover is still there.”

Toronto plays the Nashville Predators on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET before facing the Dallas Stars on Monday.