The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing mounting pressure as their disappointing start to the season draws uncomfortable parallels to the team's situation six years ago, when former coach Mike Babcock was dismissed during Grey Cup Week.
Struggles Mirror 2019 Season
With just eight victories in their first eighteen games and sitting fourteenth in the Eastern Conference, the current Maple Leafs find themselves in a position strikingly similar to the 2019 squad that managed only nine wins through twenty-three contests before Babcock's departure. The team's lackluster performance extends beyond the standings, with concerning trends in effort level, identity, and overall style of play becoming increasingly evident.
The Leafs have shown little pride in their game, and the list of deficiencies continues to grow into what could serve as a textbook example of how not to succeed in professional hockey. This raises the difficult question of whether management should consider Craig Berube's future with the organization, particularly given general manager Brad Treliving's history of making coaching changes when he believes a team cannot progress under current leadership.
Injuries and Underperformance Compound Problems
While coaching decisions often draw scrutiny during difficult stretches, several factors beyond Berube's control have contributed to Toronto's struggles. The team has faced significant challenges in net, with Joseph Woll missing substantial time and replacement Anthony Stolarz failing to seize the opportunity as starting goaltender. The apparent depth Toronto believed they possessed in goal has not materialized during this challenging quarter of the season.
Defensive issues have been exacerbated by Chris Tanev's absence, with the reliable blueliner missing his tenth game recently. When Tanev partners with Jake McCabe, the Leafs boast a legitimate top defensive pairing. Without him, however, McCabe's performance declines noticeably, and the entire defensive corps struggles to move the puck effectively or generate offensive opportunities.
Historical Precedent and Available Alternatives
The timing of Toronto's struggles invites comparison to Berube's own career trajectory. In 2018, during Grey Cup Week, the St. Louis Blues fired Mike Yeo and appointed Berube as his replacement—a move that ultimately resulted in a Stanley Cup championship. However, few believe a similar coaching change would produce comparable results for the current Maple Leafs roster.
There are significant differences between Berube and his predecessor Babcock, both in coaching style and personal approach. While Babcock became increasingly difficult to work with in his later years, Berube remains the type of coach players typically want to perform for. If players cannot succeed under his guidance, it may indicate broader issues within the roster composition.
The availability of experienced coaches like Pete DeBoer adds another layer to the discussion, reminiscent of when the Chicago Blackhawks hired Joel Quenneville not because they disliked Denis Savard, but because they recognized Quenneville's superior qualifications.
Amid the team-wide struggles, captain John Tavares has emerged as a bright spot, delivering exceptional performances that have kept the season from completely derailing. Beyond Tavares and the consistent effort of Matthew Knies, however, the team has received inconsistent contributions throughout the lineup.
When asked about the growing sense of urgency surrounding the team, Berube maintained his composure, stating that "panicking is never going to help" while acknowledging the need for increased urgency. As the Maple Leafs continue to search for answers, the organization faces difficult decisions about whether coaching represents the primary issue or merely one symptom of deeper structural problems.
