The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken their first drastic step to address a woeful start to the season, relieving assistant coach Marc Savard of his duties. The move, confirmed on Monday evening, comes directly in response to the team's catastrophically underperforming power play unit, which Savard was in charge of.
Why Marc Savard Was Let Go
The decision to fire Marc Savard was driven by one glaring statistic: the Maple Leafs' power play efficiency. Under Savard's leadership, the unit has plummeted to the absolute bottom of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team has managed to convert a mere 13.3 percent of their power-play opportunities, scoring only 12 goals from 90 chances.
On the ice, the problems have been evident to all. The puck movement has been sluggish and predictable, execution in crucial moments has faltered, and opposing teams have found it relatively easy to neutralise Toronto's offensive advantage. This consistent failure has bred immense frustration among the players, the fanbase, and the organisation's hierarchy, making a coaching change inevitable.
Are Berube and Treliving Safe?
Following Savard's dismissal, immediate speculation turned to the job security of head coach Craig Berube and General Manager Brad Treliving. With the team languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, many wondered if more heads would roll.
However, according to a key report from respected NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, no further changes at the top are imminent. Friedman confirms that despite the team's disastrous opening to the campaign, both Craig Berube and Brad Treliving are expected to remain in their positions for the foreseeable future. The organisation appears to be viewing Savard's exit as a targeted correction rather than the start of a wider purge.
Coaching Carousel and Road Ahead
The Maple Leafs' coaching staff has seen significant churn recently. Berube was hired as head coach earlier this year, followed by the addition of assistant Mike Van Ryn in July 2023. Another assistant, Derek Lalonde, was brought in this past summer after Lane Lambert's departure. Savard's firing adds another chapter to this period of instability.
The team must now regroup quickly. Their immediate focus shifts to the upcoming schedule, where they will look to turn their season around. The Maple Leafs are set to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Following that, they have a series of crucial matches, including back-to-back games against the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings on the 27th, before a clash with the New Jersey Devils on December 30, 2025.
All eyes will be on whether this coaching change can spark an immediate improvement, particularly in the power play, or if the pressure will soon mount again on Berube and Treliving to deliver results.
