The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they are making a coaching change, parting ways with head coach Craig Berube.
General Manager John Chayka announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Craig Berube pic.twitter.com/PJo8e9ATLW
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 13, 2026
Maple Leafs GM John Chayka via press release: “Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” said Chayka. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”
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The Maple Leafs are moving in a new direction, which isn’t a surprise given that Berube and the team just didn’t mesh this season. Part of that has to do with the personnel on the roster. However, once previous General Manager Brad Treliving was fired, it was a matter of time before Craig Berube was next.
The parties of Chayka, Senior Executive Advisor Mats Sundin and Berube met over the weekend, as was reported. However, the new administration wanted a new coach to determine the team’s direction.
Berube got the call this morning after spending several hours with Chayka and Sundin on Saturday discussing all aspects of the roster. Leafs management wanting to start with a clean slate.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 13, 2026
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Berube finished the second year of a four-year deal he signed ahead of the 2024-25 season, when former GM Brad Treliving brought him in after the team replaced Sheldon Keefe, who is still, as of now, the head coach in New Jersey. But that means the Maple Leafs still owe Berube $4.5 million over the next two years, barring a new job.
Berube had two more years on his deal paying him $4.5M per so the Leafs still on the hook for that unless Berube gets hired elsewhere.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 13, 2026
Again, is Craig Berube totally at fault here? No, because the roster was not as good as it was in 2024-25 when the Maple Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of Round 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There were injuries and other factors that led to the Maple Leafs falling in the standings. But stylistically, they didn’t match.
While MLSE CEO Keith Pelley was a fan of Berube, the Maple Leafs want a fresh start with a new coach. Not to mention this might be part of the plan to keep Auston Matthews in the fold. That meeting is still to come in the weeks ahead, once schedules are worked out.
What Does the Future Hold for Craig Berube in Toronto? Who Could Replace Him?
Berube, a Stanley Cup Champion as the head coach of the St. Louis Blues in 2019. He’s well respected and could find work again for the upcoming season. Now the Maple Leafs join the Los Angeles Kings and potentially the Edmonton Oilers as teams looking for a new head coach.
You wonder how Bruce Cassidy fits into all of this, as he is still paid by the Vegas Golden Knights, or do the Maple Leafs go with a first-year head coach?
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Craig Berube Out in Toronto. More Coaching Changes Coming Elsewhere? #leafsforever #letsgooilers pic.twitter.com/IWKQYfM8rP
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) May 13, 2026
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