If Craig Berube can figure out Mitch Marner, the Leafs could go very far next spring: Alberga’s Take

The dog days of summer are here, so bear with me.

With the season opener just two short months away, one of the most fascinating relationships to monitor in 2024-25 undoubtedly will be the one between Mitch Marner and new bench boss Craig Berube.

On one side, you have a no-nonsense blue collared guy who’s known to be an excellent communicator. On the other, you have a perennial All-Star with high-end skill and speed who unfortunately – to this point – has been unable to get the job done when it matters most.

Simply put, Craig Berube knows what it takes. And if he can find a way – somehow, some way – to get Marner playing a style conducive to postseason success, the Leafs will be in big-time business next spring.

Having said all that, the regular season has never been the problem for Marner, who’s about to enter a contract year. The 27-year-old has tallied three career 90-plus point campaigns. He’s elite. Full stop.

This is more about the Stanley Cup Playoffs and unlocking a hybrid version of Marner. When the going gets tough, he needs to find a way to contribute. Whether it’s blocking a shot, scoring a goal, making a monster defensive play, or setting up a teammate, there are a plethora of ways to make a difference.

And clearly, Leafs brass feel strongly that Berube can achieve this. Any way you slice it, the 58-year-old will get 82 trial runs at getting one of his marquee stars to buy-in to what he’s selling. Furthermore, to be fair, the same applies to the rest of the squad —not just Marner. He takes a lot of heat in these parts but there’s no question that you win and lose as a team.

Even though it’s easy to dream, imagining a world where a new coach ignites a top-end player isn’t as far-fetched as one would think —even in this case. If the two can co-exist and forge a partnership, this Leafs team will be a difficult one to beat in a best-of-7 series.

Simply put, Mitch Marner is the key to everything.