To the dismay of many, the Toronto Maple Leafs will return a familiar cast of characters to the ice for training camp in September.
Despite calls to disband the core, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly will continue to spearhead the Leafs’ search for success.
The team’s most important change occurred immediately following the first-round loss to the Boston Bruins, with the removal of head coach Sheldon Keefe.
General Manager Brad Treliving dismissed the speculation about selling Marner and kept the Maple Leafs’ players intact while making changes in net, defense, and behind the bench.
Craig Berube’s New Coach “Bump” also applies to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Keefe didn’t take long to find a new home after being released from the Leafs. He was hired by the New Jersey Devils less than two weeks after leaving Toronto.
Much of the discussion since Keefe’s hire has been on the boost he will bring as the new coach for the Devils’ youthful and skilled roster. His regular-season success and expertise managing inexperienced talents while with the Leafs are viewed as ideal for the Devils’ young roster.
Keefe may be the tonic that brings out the best in players like Jack and Quinn Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton, but the same new coach “bump” might also benefit the Maple Leafs.
In Toronto, Keefe’s voice and ways had run their course, just as Mike Babcock’s had before him. Despite being the most successful regular-season coach in franchise history, he was unable to take that success into the playoffs.
In modern professional sports, a coach staying with the same organization for more than three to five years is unusual. The fundamental reason is that their message gets lost and becomes outdated.
A new voice and style of doing things will benefit more than simply the Devils.
Berube resembles Pat Quinn.
Berube resembles previous Leafs coach Pat Quinn, who was one of the team’s most successful coaches.
Both are former NHL players with imposing physical stature. Quinn twice led lesser-talented Maple Leafs teams to the Conference Finals.
Berube provides the knowledge and experience gained from his 1,000-plus game playing career. He has also won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues.
His playing and coaching expertise earns him much more respect. He also understands what it takes to deal with today’s players.
With Berube’s hire, Toronto Maple Leafs players should be enthusiastic about a fresh opportunity. It symbolizes a new beginning and a fresh start for everyone; a “bump” that can propel the team to greater success.
