Jon Cooper speaks out on Toronto Maple Leafs' surprising hire of Craig Berube
Jon Cooper, the Tampa Bay Lightning's head coach, opened up on the Toronto Maple Leafs' decision to hire Craig Berube.
Berube, who has spent nearly 40 years in the NHL, including his playing career, is well-respected across the league. Cooper praised Berube's capabilities and shared his thoughts on the situation in a recent interview on Leafs Morning Take.
Cooper talked about his respect for Berube, how he dislikes seeing friends join rival teams because they face off against each other often, reflected on Sheldon Keefe's tenure in Toronto, and how Berube's strenghts will be of great use in Toronto:
"I have a solid friendship with him. I hate when these guys come into our division and I'm buddies with them. But I think he's a hell of a coach. I think he gets the best out of his players."
"Honestly, I thought Sheldon Keefe did a heck of a job there. We played him the last two years in the playoffs and they were a hard team. But Craig will be a different voice for them."
"He's an honest coach. If fans of the team want to get the most out of their players and have them... I know the way he's going to play and it's going to be hard to play against. But the one thing he'll make sure he gets out of the guys is an honest effort. That's what Craig does."
The Maple Leafs' decision to bring in Craig Berube comes with high expectations. Management knew they were letting go of a good coach in Sheldon Keefe, but they hope that Berube's coaching style and voice will bring the franchise to the next step.
Do you think Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs will win a Stanley Cup before Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning win another one?
Source: The Hockey News - �He Gets The Best Out Of His Players': Lightning Coach Jon Cooper Reveals Insights on New Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube
POLL |
Do you think Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs will win a Stanley Cup before Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning win another one? |
Yes | 455 | 62.7 % |
No | 271 | 37.3 % |
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