Maple Leafs fire coach Craig Berube after two seasons

The Toronto Maple Leafs brought Craig Berube in as coach in 2024 because of his championship pedigree. But he was fired after his second season in Toronto with the Maple Leafs missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. "Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person," new GM John Chayka said in a statement.

"This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward. " The May 13 move follows the March 30 firing of general manager Brad Treliving and gives whoever's hired a clean slate at coach.

Berube, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, got the Maple Leafs to the second round last season before losing to the Panthers in a Game 7 rout at home. This season was always going to be tough because they lost free agent Mitch Marner in a sign and trade.

But the Maple Leafs hovered around . 500 before getting to eight games over in mid-January. The Leafs had eight consecutive losses coming out of the Olympic break.