After weeks of speculation, the Leafs officially named Berube their head coach yesterday. The 58-year-old becomes the 32nd coach in team history, replacing Sheldon Keefe after he was fired following another failed playoff appearance.
Per a report from City News Kitchener, the Maple Leafs are preparing to host an introductory press conference for Berube this coming Tueaday, following the long weekend.
Reports indicate that Berube got a 4-year deal from the Leafs, but financials were not disclosed. The hiring of Berube marks a significant change in coaching styles as Berube is a no-nonsense type of coach that is brutally honest with the media and players and is less of an "X's and O's" coach than Keefe was.
Berube coached the St.Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019, taking them from last place at Christmas all the way to the top of the ladder. After the Blues struggled out of the gate this season, Berube was fired and had been doing analyst appearances on the NHL on TNT.
There will be lots of questions about his plans for the coaching staff and what he expects to change with the style of game the Leafs play. With a new head coach in place, now GM Brad Treliving can begin to turnover the roster left to him by Kyle Dubas.
