In The Hockey Writers Roundtable, host Matthew Zator discusses the expectations for the brand new Maple Leafs head coach, Craig Berube, with Maple Leafs author Peter Baracchini. Berube, who comes from the St. Louis Blues, brings a veteran presence and championship pedigree, having coached the Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019. However is he the best coach for the Maple Leafs at this level? Baracchini shares his insights.
A Shift from Sheldon Keefe’s “Participant’s Coach” Method
Baracchini factors out that Berube’s predecessor, Sheldon Keefe, was thought-about a “participant’s coach.” Whereas Keefe maintained good relationships with gamers, his teaching philosophy wasn’t at all times resonating with the staff. Baracchini suggests {that a} recent voice and a brand new mindset are essential to reinvigorate the staff.
Berube is thought for his uncompromising, no-nonsense teaching type that calls for accountability. Baracchini believes this transformation may catalyze success, particularly because the Maple Leafs search to take the subsequent step of their playoff aspirations.
Physicality and Possession: A Balanced Method
One of many attributes Berube brings to the Maple Leafs is a give attention to bodily play, however not in a reckless method. Baracchini stresses that Berube will need the Leafs to complete their checks and battle laborious for possession. This aligns effectively with Toronto’s puck-possession type, as establishing a powerful forecheck may improve the Leafs’ capacity to manage the sport.
Baracchini additionally highlights Berube’s detailed strategy to the sport. He holds gamers accountable, emphasizing defensive and offensive tasks throughout your entire roster. This steadiness between physicality and possession may assist the Leafs unlock a extra well-rounded recreation.
Berube Will Anticipate Defensive Accountability Throughout the Lineup
One of many Maple Leafs’ weaknesses is inconsistency in sustaining a defensive construction with out dropping offensive punch. Baracchini believes Berube will have the ability to instill a team-wide give attention to accountability. If Toronto can combine defensively-minded forwards whereas sustaining offensive efficiency, it may grow to be a extra balanced and harmful staff.
Particularly, Berube’s capacity to convey out a “committee strategy” might be useful. Baracchini factors to the St. Louis Blues’ championship run, the place the staff thrived with blue-collar contributions from all gamers, whether or not top-line stars or position gamers.
The Maple Leafs Stars Should Adapt to the New Identification
Whereas Berube’s system encourages a team-first strategy, Toronto’s stars—Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander—will nonetheless lead offensively. Baracchini means that whereas we might even see a slight dip of their manufacturing, it is going to serve the higher aim: a extra defensively accountable, team-oriented type of play.
This steadiness is essential. The staff should purchase into Berube’s philosophy with out stifling its offensive firepower, a fragile tightrope for any coach.
On the draft, Berube emphasised the significance of his staff having a transparent identification. Baracchini expects this to be a component of the Maple Leafs’ strategy in 2024-25. Though Toronto has star energy, Berube will need to instill a extra accountable, defensively conscious mentality throughout the board.
For Baracchini, this might be the distinction between a hard-fought win and a devastating loss. Because the season progresses, it will likely be fascinating to see how Berube implements his recreation plan and whether or not the staff totally embraces his imaginative and prescient.
The Backside Line: Berube’s Potential Impression
Baracchini is optimistic about Berube’s arrival in Toronto, predicting his teaching type may work wonders with the staff. He’s able to see how Berube approaches the preseason and the way rapidly the Leafs can adapt to his system.
With a brand new voice within the room and a harder, extra accountable strategy, the Maple Leafs might be poised to make the leap they’ve been striving for lately.
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