Jon Cooper not thrilled about the Leafs hiring Craig Berube
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is not thrilled that Craig Berube joined the Toronto Maple Leafs, mostly because Cooper feels Berube is a great coach.
The longest tenured and two-time Stanley Cup winning coach was on 'Leafs Morning Take' yesterday talking all things hockey and was asked about the Leafs hiring Craig Berube to replace Sheldon Keefe. Cooper's response was supportive, but also showed how much respect he has for Berube and his coaching abilities.
"I have a solid friendship with him. I hate when these guys come into our division and I'm buddies with them, but I think he's a hell of a coach and I think he gets the best out of his players.
I thought Sheldon Keefe did a hell of a job there, but Craig will be a different voice for them and I'm not sure what he is doing quite yet with his assistants, but he's an honest coach and if the fans of the team want to get the most out of their players and I know the way he's going to play and it's going to be hard to play against. The one thing he'll make sure he gets out of the guys is an honest effort and that's what Craig does."
The Leafs and Lightning have developed quite a playoff rivalry the past few seasons, with each of them winning a series. The Lightning have always gotten the best out of their star players when it matters most, and now the Leafs have a coach, according to Cooper, that will be able to do the same.
POLL |
JUIN 1 | 474 ANSWERS Jon Cooper not thrilled about the Leafs hiring Craig Berube How far will the Leafs go in the playoffs under Berube? |
First round exit | 77 | 16.2 % |
Second round | 137 | 28.9 % |
Third round | 132 | 27.8 % |
Cup Final | 128 | 27 % |
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Previously on MapleLeafsDaily