- New General Manager John Chayka has officially parted ways with head coach Craig Berube, marking the first major step in a broader organizational reset.
- The decision follows a disappointing 2025-26 campaign where the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
- Chayka and executive advisor Mats Sundin spent their first 10 days conducting a deep-dive assessment of the organization, from staff to players, to inform the team’s new direction.
- The club is launching a wide-ranging, thorough search for a new head coach, with Chayka confirming that candidates with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience will be considered.
- Despite the upcoming draft and the first overall pick, the organization has set no specific timeline for hiring a new coach, prioritizing the right fit over speed.
- Chayka noted that he has yet to hold an in-depth meeting with captain Auston Matthews, preferring to gather full organizational context before aligning on the team’s future strategy.
Read the full story here: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/with-firing-of-berube-maple-leafs-chayka-establishes-clean-slate/
