Ex-NHL head coach Peter Laviolette believes Craig Berube will tune out noise with 14 games remaining

Peter Laviolette has been where Craig Berube finds himself this season. In 2023-24, Laviolette was the head coach of the New York Rangers, helping lead the team to a President’s Trophy. The following season, the Rangers went 39-36-7, missed the playoffs, which led to Laviolette’s firing in New York. 

Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs finished first in the Atlantic Division, but this season has been a major disappointment. Through 68 games, the Maple Leafs sit with a record of 29-27-12, appearing to be on their way to missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, showing a pattern similar to what the Rangers experienced. 

Laviolette joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss the status of Craig Berube, what it’s like to lead a team that underperforms, and his coaching future. 

“It’s difficult. Chief’s obviously been a good coach in the league for a long time, and he knows how to handle himself, he’s not a rookie coach,” Laviolette said. “He’s a veteran coach, but the noise is out there, and you hear it. I think it’s just about how you box it out and try and go about your business and continue to do the right thing.”

While the Maple Leafs aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, these final 14 games represent playing out the string in what is a lost season. Laviolette touched on what it’s like to be behind the bench when it becomes clear there won’t be any postseason hockey on the horizon. 

“I think experienced coaches really focus more on the job, whatever is that day, trying to win a game and trying to take two points,” Laviolette said. “At some point, it gets out of hand, and you realize you aren’t going to the playoffs anymore, but you still want your team to play the right way and do the right things. You continue to coach, continue to go about your business and try and do things the right way.” 

As for coaching in big markets, Laviolette experienced that in New York. While that comes with its upside, the pressure and outside noise only gets amplified by fans who want nothing more than to see the team they cheer for succeed. 

“New York’s not Toronto by any stretch of imagination, but it’s still a pretty big market. New York’s teams have been around for 100 years, and New York fans they’re awesome,” Laviolette said. “They’re passionate, they want to win, so there’s frustration to be vented. That’s what makes Toronto such a great place to play and win. The passion of the fans and what the fan base wants.”

Every offseason results in teams looking for coaching upgrades, whether it’s from a disappointing season or a team looking to bring in a new voice to help push a team to the next level. Laviolette touched on what next year could bring for the former Stanley Cup-winning head coach. 

“I think this year has been really good. Sometimes when you leave a tough situation, it takes a little bit to decompress,” Laviolette said. “But right now I am excited. I’m just putting stuff back together to get ready for a possible interview if changes are made. I’d like to get the opportunity to try and talk to somebody about what I could bring to the table. I’ve taken over six teams, and six teams have made the playoffs. Three of those have played for a Stanley Cup and more in Conference finals, so I would love the opportunity to talk about the direction of a team.”

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