Craig Berube to implement massive system change for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Craig Berube's Maple Leafs will certainly look a lot different next season than the team has in recent years, both in terms of personnel and playstyle.
Brad Treliving revitalized the team's blueline this summer by bringing inn veteran defenders Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars, and Oliver Ekman Larsson, from the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Both players figure to have a big impact on the team for years to come.
These changes on the blueline could very well have a big impact on how the team plays overall, especially with a new head coach as well. On fan pointed out how the previous head coach, Sheldon Keefe, emphasized a more conservative defensive structure.
Under Berube, this could very well change. As the fan points out, the additions of Tanev and Ekman Larsson give the team much better options for breaking the puck out and getting it up ice. Tanev's steady defensive presence will likely allow players like Morgan Rielly to be more aggressive while Ekman Larsson is a good puck mover on his own.
He even pointed to how the St. Louis Blues used to play as evidence that the Leafs could try this strategy next season.
Defensive zone breakouts and transitions are one of the more underrated important parts of the game. Fans will notice flashy plays and great goals, but the small plays that lead up to them, something 30 seconds or more before a scoring play, can often get overlooked. Is this how Berube will turn the Leafs into true contenders? We will find out next season.
Source: MapleLeafsDaily
One major change that Craig Berube will implement right away in Toronto
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Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs will be more dangerous off the rush next season under head coach Craig Berube? | ||
| Yes | 369 | 73.5 % |
| No | 133 | 26.5 % |
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