Confirmed with Link: Craig Berube named the 32nd Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs

[BertCorbeau]

Look at how the Leafs generally won under Keefe. Look at how they are winning under Berube. These two things are not the same.

… that’s what I said

 

[3blizzard4]

 

[Dekes For Days]

That's not really Keefe vs. Berube. Keefe had those kind of metrics prior to last year too. That's GM ignoring defense vs. GM not ignoring defense.

 

[Stephen]

Not like we haven't seen a November heater too

But I will say I like the changes Berube has made in how this team is winning. Overcoming injuries and illness well.

In the past, we heard chatter around the league that this era of the Leafs could beat anybody on any given night but it wouldn't be a hard night.

I personally like the idea of a team coming into Toronto, getting beat soundly on the scoreboard and getting beat up physically in the process. It shouldn't be fun for teams to come here, and Ontario and GTA guys shouldn't feel like it's a fun homecoming.

If you can't beat em in the alley you can't beat em on the ice. The foundation of this franchise is built on that. Why play nice?

 

[The Apologist]

In the past, we heard chatter around the league that this era of the Leafs could beat anybody on any given night but it wouldn't be a hard night.

I personally like the idea of a team coming into Toronto, getting beat soundly on the scoreboard and getting beat up physically in the process. It shouldn't be fun for teams to come here, and Ontario and GTA guys shouldn't feel like it's a fun homecoming.

If you can't beat em in the alley you can't beat em on the ice. The foundation of this franchise is built on that. Why play nice?

Because the NHL will not allow us to play dirty. We can't even play mildly annoyed without getting suspensions left and right.

 

[DarkKnight]

Those last two explain a lot when wondering why our goaltending has been effective. We're limiting the high danger chances and if the goalie makes the save the D is ensuring he doesn't have to make another one.

The beauty of this system, we won't have to transition to "playoff hockey", it will be who we are already. Love these stats!

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

With Florida losing in regulation and Tampa losing in OT, no Atlantic team can catch the Leafs at the 20 game mark. In the Matthews era this is the deepest into the season (November 21st) that the Leafs have held first in the Atlantic Division. Fantastic start to the Berube era.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Where is he in the Jack Adams race? Does he crack the top 3? I think I have Arniel, Carberry, and Rod the Bod ahead of him. Obviously debatable. I am curious what you think.

 

[DarkKnight]

Post game they asked Marner what they needed to do more of after the first. He said play "more North". Love it, Berube hockey is seeping into our mindset. And there's no adjustment required come playoff time anyways, it's a natural fit this style.

 

[Smif]

Post game they asked Marner what they needed to do more of after the first. He said play "more North". Love it, Berube hockey is seeping into our mindset. And there's no adjustment required come playoff time anyways, it's a natural fit this style.

I wish our PP entries would play more north, I feel like that's still the thing lingering from past coaching. It's really quite painful and predictable. Sometimes Marner or Nylander go rogue and take it themselves and easily just walk right in...

 

[thusk]

That's not really Keefe vs. Berube. Keefe had those kind of metrics prior to last year too. That's GM ignoring defense vs. GM not ignoring defense.

Its part of both, yes GM move helped but a part coming to the coach. Just an exemple

With keefe system, the biggest part of offensive was quick transition to score off the rush. Toronto was taking more risk in transition ( especially player like marner, matthews and nylander) and when the play missed, it was harder to prevent scoring chance

Under Berube its pretty simple, you got the puck in defensive so make sure than the puck will move out of the zone and after we will work to create something. They having less scoring chance off the rush for sure but they basically never get caught out of position defensively.

 

[leafsfan5]

Its part of both, yes GM move helped but a part coming to the coach. Just an exemple

With keefe system, the biggest part of offensive was quick transition to score off the rush. Toronto was taking more risk in transition ( especially player like marner, matthews and nylander) and when the play missed, it was harder to prevent scoring chance

Under Berube its pretty simple, you got the puck in defensive so make sure than the puck will move out of the zone and after we will work to create something. They having less scoring chance off the rush for sure but they basically never get caught out of position defensively.

Sheldon Keefe said something last year that was hilariously true, and also a reflection on the style we were playing:

"When teams play the Leafs, they set up the game for the Leafs to beat themselves"

What you mentioned played into that, teams would sit back knowing Toronto would make a mistake in transition and they'd capitalize on it. There's no better example than Gallagher's game 7 goal

It looks like we're past that, fingers crossed it continues

 

[Evilhomer]

Where is he in the Jack Adams race? Does he crack the top 3? I think I have Arniel, Carberry, and Rod the Bod ahead of him. Obviously debatable. I am curious what you think.

I've been saying since before the season started that Berube will win it (when everyone thought Keefe would win it, which isn't happening). Winnipeg and Washington will both fall off (especially Washington). With the way the media loves Berube, and the Leafs likely finishing top 3 in the league, he will win it by a good margin.