The Toronto Maple Leafs’ sudden decision to fire head coach Craig Berube has sparked debate across the NHL, but analyst Jeff Veillette believes the organization made the correct move after a disastrous 2025-26 season.
Shortly after the coaching change became official, Veillette shared his thoughts on X and pointed directly to the team’s declining on-ice structure under Berube.
“100% the right call. No knocks on Berube as a person, but the team’s control of play had become significantly worse under his time here, with a play style that didn’t fit their best players and somehow got even worse as they added more complimentary parts,” Veillette wrote.
The Maple Leafs officially dismissed Berube on May 13, just two seasons after hiring him to replace Sheldon Keefe.
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Newly appointed general manager John Chayka called the move part of a broader organizational reset after Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” Chayka said. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig.”
Toronto’s system never matched its roster identity
Berube arrived in Toronto with a reputation for structure, toughness, and playoff-style hockey. His first season produced strong results, as the Maple Leafs finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points and won a playoff round before losing to the Florida Panthers in seven games.
However, the second season exposed major flaws. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-36-14 record and allowed 3.60 goals per game, the second-worst mark in the NHL.
Analysts around the league pointed to a system mismatch. Berube’s heavy dump-and-chase approach reduced the offensive freedom of skilled players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Matthews finished with a career-low 27 goals before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
The departure of Mitch Marner also stripped the lineup of elite playmaking and transition offense. Without that support, Toronto struggled to generate consistent pressure.
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Maple Leafs’ front office changes signaled a larger rebuild
The firing also reflects a major philosophical shift inside the organization. Chayka took over as general manager earlier this month, while franchise legend Mats Sundin returned as Senior Executive Advisor.
Toronto’s shocking draft lottery win, landing first overall pick, accelerated plans for a rebuild centered around younger talent (potentially Gavin McKenna) and a more modern system. Berube’s veteran-driven coaching style no longer aligned with that direction.
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While injuries and roster issues played a role in the collapse, the Maple Leafs ultimately believed the team’s structure had stalled. Veillette’s assessment echoed what many around the league saw during the season — a talented roster that never looked comfortable within its system.
