Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares shoulders blame for Keefe firing but is looking forward to a fresh start under Berube.
While the majority of his teammates are now in their off-season, Tavares decided to join Team Canada at the World Championships. Upon arriving in Prague, he was named captain and helped Canada avoid a very embarrassing loss to Team Austria by scoring in overtime.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston caught up with Tavares on Saturday and discussed the firing of Sheldon Keefe and hiring of Craig Berube.
"Obviously very difficult to see Keefer go, but it's part of the game at times. As players, it's on us to do a better job. He'd been around five years with the team. Everything we've been through and certainly from a personal note I think how he's helped my game grow and how he's challenged me. I think back and forth you develop a lot of trust and respect. As a player, you wear that, you feel that. That's a wound that you take (forward)," said Tavares of Keefe being let go.
Tavares then touched on Berube coming in and forming a relationship with him and what he brings to the Leafs.
"With Craig coming in, he's going to help us with that. I'm excited to work with him. He's got a tremendous pedigree. That process obviously has already begun, and we're looking forward to having him with us. As time goes on and Craig comes in, the page turns, and we're looking forward to what he brings and how he can help us get to where we want to get to and that's obviously reaching our ultimate goal."
As Tavares and his teammates begin to build relationships with Berube, some may not last long given the expected amount of change coming to the Leafs' roster. Some may include Tavares himself in that change, which would be unlikely, but regardless it will be a summer of learning for everyone involved.
