Craig Berube to implement massive system change for the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Graham Montgomery
July 20, 2024 (8:27 PM)

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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.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announce they've signed Chris Tanev for six years at a $4.5M AAV!

Oliver Ekman-Larsson signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs!

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.

Doing some late night reading/watching highlights. One way Berube can differ from Keefe is how the Leafs break the puck out of their zone. Keefe tried to limit turnovers by avoiding pressure to make the safer plays. Which isn't bad, but it gives the other team time to regroup

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.

Keefe was either a more passive coach or TOR lacked puck movers on the blue line to really push the play north and create odd man rushes. Tanev & OEL are big time upgrades over Boosh and Edmundson. Tanev likely allows Rielly to be more aggressive and OEL is good with breakouts

He even pointed to how the St. Louis Blues used to play as evidence that the Leafs could try this strategy next season.

When they had the horses to do it, STL under Berube used to be more aggressive with their breakouts. I don't blame Keefe for insulating our Dmen with safer plays. But giving good defensive teams more time to setup in the playoffs as the trade off can stifle your offense

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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