The Toronto Maple Leafs are less than two years removed from a coaching change, hiring Craig Berube after parting ways with longtime head coach Sheldon Keefe, who was quickly scooped up by the New Jersey Devils—yet both have already found themselves on the hot seat in their new situations.
Toronto and New Jersey have been two of this season’s biggest disappointments, both having entered the year with legitimate playoff—and even Stanley Cup—aspirations. Instead, they find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and that underperformance has left Berube and Keefe’s jobs in jeopardy.
In a recent episode of the Chris Johnston Show, TSN insider Chris Johnston said he doesn’t expect a ton of movement around the coaching world this summer, but to keep an eye on the Maple Leafs and Devils as two teams that could make a change.
Johnston said h/t NHL rumour report:
“I don’t think this is going to be a massive year of coaching changes; certainly there’s a few places…there’s obviously a high probability, possibility of change in Toronto; New Jersey, I could see there being changes to that setup,”
The 60-year-old Berube has another two years left on the four-year deal he signed to take over as head coach of the Maple Leafs in 2024, while Keefe, 45, also has two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed to become head coach of the Devils that same summer.
After leading their respective teams to the postseason in year one, things have taken a turn for the worse for both coaches, who could soon be looking for a new gig.
Neither should have much trouble finding a new home, though a lack of firings elsewhere around the league could mean Berube and Keefe might have to wait for the right opportunity to come along down the road.
As for the Maple Leafs, many have speculated about veteran Peter DeBoer as a potential option, while there’s also the possibility of going the younger route—a strategy that teams like Pittsburgh and Washington have recently found success with. First things first, however, they’ll have to determine who will be running the show as general manager—or president—above them.
Next: Will Connor McDavid’s Play Without Draisaitl Win Him the Hart?
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