Bruce Cassidy Is Perfect Maple Leafs Coach If They Fire Craig Berube – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs
As the Toronto Maple Leafs look to turn things around after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, a few questions remain for the team as they hope to fight their way back into playoff contention next season. Some fans are focused on the player personnel and that the team will look extremely different next season, but one thing that should be looked at is what the team chooses to do in place of the head coach.
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The Maple Leafs have opted to relieve Brad Treliving of his duties as General Manager, and while they remain committed to finding the right fit for the position moving forward, it leads to questions about the future of current coach Craig Berube.
At the time of this article, Berube led the Maple Leafs to a 32-31-14 record this season. In 159 games as the head coach of the Maple Leafs, he has a record of 84-57-18. While the failure this season should not be blamed on Berube alone, there is a world where the new general manager is looking for a fresh face behind the bench.
A shocking move from the Vegas Golden Knights recently opened up a potential candidate for the Maple Leafs coaching position if their new manager chooses to make that change, 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 to the organization.
Cassidy Won’t Be a Free Agent for Long
Cassidy helped lead the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup in the 2022-23 season and, over four seasons, led them to a 181-99-43 record. With 832 games behind the bench as a head coach, Cassidy has amassed a combined 473 wins over three different seasons, and was previously the head coach of the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.
His lack of tournament success outside of the Golden Knights’ first championship win isn’t something teams are too concerned about. His overall experience and ability to lead and find a way to win make him a candidate for any team considering a coaching change.
The Maple Leafs may consider firing Berube, but the New Jersey Devils may consider firing Sheldon Keefe, the Edmonton Oilers may consider firing Kris Knoblauch, depending on how their season ends, and the Calgary Flames may look to fire Ryan Huska. With a potential opening in the offseason, Cassidy won’t be out of action for long.
The Maple Leafs need to take advantage and make a move faster than anyone around them if they want to have a shot at having Cassidy behind their bench. His way of coaching, his determination to give everyone a good chance, his willingness to play young guys, everything he does makes him a coach that any team will want behind their bench.
With the uncertainty surrounding the Maple Leafs, considering some of the speculation surrounding their stars and what their future might hold, they need someone who can help them stay 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 with a questionable roster and getting the most out of every player on his roster, 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.
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