"It’s difficult to see Keefe go" - John Tavares shares his thoughts on Craig Berube hiring as Maple Leafs' new head coach

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified May 19, 2024 16:45 GMT

John Tavares, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, commented on the recent appointment of Craig Berube as the new head coach. The announcement of the appointment was made on Friday.

Currently representing Canada at the World Championships in Prague, Tavares woke up on Saturday to a message from Craig Berube, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the team.

Tavares expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the difficulty of seeing former coach Sheldon Keefe depart.

"Obviously very difficult to see 'Keefer' go, but part of the game at times, and for us as players, it's on us to do a better job. With Craig coming in, he's going to help us with that," Tavares said. (via NHL.com)

John Tavares also acknowledged the personal impact of Keefe’s departure.

"It's still really difficult, I think. He'd been around five years with the team. Everything we've been through and certainly from a personal note how he's helped my game grow and how he's challenged me," Tavares said.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have faced repeated disappointments, most recently losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round to the Boston Bruins. With Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019, John Tavares believes the team has a chance to overcome their playoff struggles.

"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 the ultimate goal," John Tavares added.

Craig Berube's coaching record and extensive NHL experience bring a new level of credibility to the Maple Leafs. His previous stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Blues have shown his capability to lead teams effectively.

Reflecting on Berube’s successful coaching career, John Tavares said:

"He's a great presence and a great person."

---

Toronto Maple Leafs hire Craig Berube as the head coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Craig Berube as their new coach. Berube, who had led the St. Louis Blues to victory in 2019, replaced Sheldon Keefe, who was fired after the Leafs failed to get beyond the first round repeatedly for several seasons. Under Keefe, the team was unable to make it past the second round of the playoffs, that too only once in his five-year tenure.

The immediate hiring of Berube by the team aligns with general manager Brad Treliving's statement from May 10:

"We're not waiting. We're going to be thorough. This isn't something that's going to be hastily done, but we certainly know that there's some quality candidates out there. We want to get them as fast as we possibly can."

Berube's era for the Leafs starts with hopes and expectations of his achievements.