The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the offseason facing pressure from every direction after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign erased years of postseason consistency. Injuries, defensive breakdowns, and major roster turnover pushed the organization out of the playoff picture for the first time in a decade, leading to sweeping changes.
With Brad Treliving already removed from his role, attention was on the future behind the bench. This uncertainty escalated on Wednesday, May 13, when another major organizational move stunned the hockey world and immediately led to league-wide reactions about where Toronto goes next.
Maple Leafs Fire Craig Berube as Coaching Search Gets Underway
On Wednesday morning, the Leafs decided to pull the plug on the Craig Berube era. The move ends Berube’s short tenure in Toronto after the team finished near the bottom of the NHL standings with a 32-36-14 record and missed the playoffs entirely.
Berube still had two years remaining on his contract worth a reported $4.5 million annually, meaning Toronto could continue paying the veteran coach unless he quickly lands another NHL opportunity. Shortly after the announcement, general manager John Chayka released a statement explaining the organization’s decision.
“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.”
The firing immediately triggered strong reactions around the league, especially because Berube arrived in Toronto with a reputation for structure, accountability, and Stanley Cup experience.
TSN analyst Aaron Korolnek supported the move, writing, “The right decision.” His reaction reflected the frustration shared by many observers after Toronto’s defensive play collapsed throughout the season.
Others quickly turned their attention toward possible replacements. NHL analyst Carlo Mario posted, “Bruce Cassidy?” shortly after the announcement, connecting Toronto to one of the most respected coaches available this summer. Cassidy’s defensive system and championship background with Vegas make him an obvious fit for a team that allowed 299 goals during the regular season.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn reacted differently, sharing a meme of chains breaking, while NHL writer Nick Richard described the firing as “The John Chayka era is off to a rousing start.” This response highlighted how Toronto’s new management group appears willing to reshape the organization after a disappointing season.
Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan also defended the decision, posting, “Berube firing had to happen. Onward for the Leafs.” His remarks reflected the increasing sentiment that Toronto needed a major reset after injuries to Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Chris Tanev, and Anthony Stolarz exposed the roster’s lack of depth.
Now the focus shifts toward Toronto’s next coaching hire. Cassidy remains one of the strongest candidates because of his defensive structure and championship pedigree. Peter Laviolette could also be an option due to his demanding style and history of quickly changing team culture.
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Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft could receive consideration as well, especially because of his offensive approach and experience managing star-heavy lineups. Additionally, the Oilers are reportedly interested in Cassidy, so if they fire Kris Knobaluch, he could also be considered for this role.
After one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, Toronto’s next decision behind the bench may define how quickly this rebuild moves forward.
