The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant change to their coaching staff during the holiday season, promoting a familiar face in an effort to solve a critical problem.
A Boxing Day Announcement
The club announced on Boxing Day morning, December 26, 2025, that Steve Sullivan has been added as an assistant coach to head coach Craig Berube's staff. Sullivan was previously serving as an assistant coach with the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs' American Hockey League affiliate.
This promotion comes just four days after the Leafs dismissed assistant coach Marc Savard. Savard's tenure was marked by the profound lack of success of the team's power play unit, a key factor in the decision.
Addressing the League's Worst Power Play
The timing of Sullivan's promotion is directly linked to the Maple Leafs' most glaring weakness this season. As the team prepares to resume play on Saturday night at home against the Ottawa Senators, they do so possessing the worst power play in the entire National Hockey League.
The statistics are stark: through their first 36 games of the 2025-26 regular season, the Leafs have converted on only 13% of their power play opportunities, scoring just 12 times on 92 chances. This offensive drought with a man advantage has contributed significantly to the team's current standing.
The Leafs sit in 15th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Florida Panthers by five points for the final wild-card spot and sitting six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for third place in the Atlantic Division.
While it is anticipated that Sullivan will eventually assume greater responsibility for the power play, head coach Craig Berube indicated that, for the immediate future, managing the unit will be a collaborative effort among the coaching staff.
Steve Sullivan's Full-Circle Moment
For the 51-year-old native of Timmins, Ontario, this appointment represents a return to the franchise where his NHL career took shape. Sullivan's history with the Maple Leafs dates back to February 1997, when he was acquired by Toronto as part of the trade that sent legendary centre Doug Gilmour to the New Jersey Devils.
Sullivan played 154 games for the Leafs over four seasons, recording 35 goals and 50 assists for 85 points. His tenure in Toronto ended in October 1999 when the Chicago Blackhawks claimed him off waivers.
His extensive 16-year NHL career also included stops with the Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Phoenix Coyotes. In total, Sullivan skated in 1,011 regular-season games, amassing 290 goals and 457 assists for 747 points. He retired following the 2012-13 season.
Following his playing days, Sullivan moved into management, serving as the assistant general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017 to 2021. He returned to the Toronto organization in August 2024 when he was hired by the Marlies prior to this latest promotion to the NHL club.
The Maple Leafs and their fans will be watching closely to see if Sullivan's experience and fresh perspective can help ignite a power play that has become a major obstacle in the team's quest for success this season.
