As the Toronto Maple Leafs look to change things around after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, a few questions are lingering around the team as they hope to fight their way back into playoff contention next season. Some fans are focused on the player personnel and whether the lineup will look extremely different next season, but one thing that will have to be examined is what the team chooses to do at the head coach position.
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The Maple Leafs chose to relieve Brad Treliving of his duties as General Manager, and while they remain committed to finding the right fit for that position moving forward, it leads to questions about the future of current head coach Craig Berube.
At the time of this article, Berube has led the Maple Leafs to a 32-31-14 record this season. Through 159 games as the head coach of the Maple Leafs, he has an 84-57-18 record. While the failures this season shouldn’t be placed solely on Berube, there is a world where a new general manager wants some fresh faces behind the bench.
A shocking move from the Vegas Golden Knights recently opened up a potential candidate for the Maple Leafs’ head coach position if their new general manager chooses to make that switch, as Bruce Cassidy was fired and replaced by John Tortorella. If Cassidy is open to coaching the Maple Leafs, that should be a no-brainer addition for the organization.
Cassidy helped lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup in the 2022-23 season and, over the course of four seasons, led them to a 181-99-43 record. With 832 games behind the bench as a head coach, Cassidy has amassed 473 wins combined through three different tenures, having also been the head coach of the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals previously.
His lack of playoff success aside from the Golden Knights’ first championship win isn’t something that teams are too worried about. His overall experience and ability to lead and find a way to win make him an appealing candidate for any team considering a coaching change.
The Maple Leafs could consider firing Berube, but the New Jersey Devils could also be considering firing Sheldon Keefe, the Edmonton Oilers could be considering firing Kris Knoblauch, depending on how their season finishes, and the Calgary Flames could be looking to fire Ryan Huska. With a ton of potential openings in the offseason, Cassidy won’t be unemployed for very long.
The Maple Leafs need to take advantage and make a move quicker than everyone around them if they want a shot at having Cassidy behind their bench. His style of coaching, his willingness to give everyone a fair shot, his willingness to play the young guys, everything he does makes him a coach that any team would want behind their bench.
With uncertainty surrounding the Maple Leafs, considering some speculation surrounding their superstars and what their futures may entail, they need someone who can help keep them focused on playing hockey, rather than listening to what’s going on in the outside world.
Cassidy has always been good at taking a team that has a questionable roster and getting the most out of every player in his lineup, and that’s exactly what the Maple Leafs need. They may have to be willing to spend big to sign Cassidy, but if he’s interested, it shouldn’t be a second thought, and the Maple Leafs should bring him in if they choose to fire Berube.
As the 2025-26 season moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.
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