Newly-Acquired Maple Leaf Shares True Thoughts on Playing for Craig Berube Again

Newly-acquired Dakota Joshua appeared on 'Leafs Morning Take' where he said he's excited to play for Craig Berube again, this time with the Maple Leafs.

New Toronto Maple Leafs winger Dakota Joshua can't wait to be reunited with head coach Craig Berube, who provided him with his NHL debut in 2021 with the St. Louis Blues.

The duo spent two seasons together within the Blues organization, and Dakota Joshua considers the reunion to be a 'full circle' for him.

Joshua Began His NHL Career With the Leafs Organization After They Drafted Him

Initially drafted by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Joshua was dealt to the Blues in 2019 in exchange for future considerations.

During his college years at Ohio State, he participated in several Leafs development camps with current stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

Following speculation at the 2025 NHL Draft, Joshua was formally traded to Toronto from the Vancouver Canucks on July 17 for a 2028 fourth-round selection. The 29-year-old has a $3.25 million cap hit and three years left on his contract.

Joshua sat out the beginning of last season while recovering from testicular cancer surgery. He made his return to Vancouver's lineup in mid-November and ended up with 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in 57 games.

The previous season, he had a career-high 18 goals and 14 assists in 63 games, along with eight points in 13 playoff games.

On 'Leafs Morning Take' with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill, Joshua indicated he's already talked to Berube and is looking forward to getting started.