Brad Treliving on Choosing Craig Berube: Why He's the Perfect Fit as a Leader and Head Coach

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Chris Gerics
October 5, 2024 (11:26)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big switch this offseason hiring Craig Berube to replace Sheldon Keefe and GM Brad Treliving has nothing but high hopes for 'Chief'.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe this offseason, many wondered who would take his spot behind the bench. It wasn't long until we found out that Craig Berube was the new bench boss, and it signaled a big shift from Keefe's speed-first, more finesse-based offense into a focus on being more defensive and making sure players are held accountable for their mistakes and defensive lapses.

It's that accountability that played a big factor in GM Brad Treliving hiring Craig Berube to be the Maple Leafs' 32nd head coach in the franchise's illustrious history. Speaking to media at the end of May, after another playoff loss to the Boston Bruins, Treliving noted that Keefe's firing was essential if the club wanted to move past the first round and be more consistent:

"We had gotten to a place where just a new voice was needed," Treliving said. "And that's the unfortunate part of this business. I do not believe that you turn coaches and you keep turning coaches. I don't think that is the recipe for success at all. I just felt at the end of the day, when I look at the totality of his time here, a change was required."

A change certainly was required, as the Maple Leafs were 1-5 under Keefe in their playoff series and never really felt like a playoff team at times when they were on the ice. Keefe's inability to motivate and get the Core Four to the production level needed for success was a crucial part of his dismissal; something Treliving hopes Berube can accomplish with his no-nonsense gameplan. Everyone has a role on the team and if you don't fulfill it, you're going to get told off very quickly, and it's black and white which is another trait that attracted Treliving to Berube:

"There's a real directness, a real clarity in his message-there's no grey area. His ability to connect with players and hold them accountable is key."

That's a huge shift from Sheldon Keefe, who would often either walk back comments or try and play peacemaker with the media and not bring out the grit in his players. Coaches need to speak up when the players aren't performing, and if they won't listen to the captain or the veterans, you better believe they'll listen to the coach or they won't play. Simple as that.

Craig Berube has no time for egos or players concerned with vanity or stat padding: you play a 200-foot game, forecheck, backcheck, and do whatever you can to help the team in all facets not just offensively. It harkens back to the late 90's/early 2000's teams with Pat Quinn at the helm; loads of talent but has toughness, grit, and size.

The 2024-2025 Toronto Maple Leafs have a new roster, a new game plan, and a new head coach. It sounds like the ingredients for a successful and deep playoff run, and according to Brad Treliving, it all starts with Craig Berube.