The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, representing a major management change for the club after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The decision comes after the squad placed 15th in the Eastern Conference.
General Manager John Chayka, who was just appointed to lead the front office, made the announcement as part of an organizational reform. The Maple Leafs ended the 2025-26 season with a 32-36-14 record, earning just 78 points against 108 the previous year.
According to General Manager John Chayka, Craig is an excellent coach and an even better individual.
The General Manager underlined that the coaching change was not a criticism of Berube’s abilities, but rather an opportunity for the club to move in a new direction.
This choice is more indicative of an institutional change and the chance for a new beginning than it is an evaluation of Craig. We appreciate Craig’s leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the Maple Leafs company, and we wish him and his family all the best in the future, said General Manager John Chayka.
According to data, the team’s fundamental performance measures fell substantially during Berube’s two seasons. While the squad advanced to the second round in 2025, their five-on-five performance and anticipated goal shares had dropped to league lows by the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Star players’ offensive output suffered under the defensive-heavy approach used by Berube. Auston Matthews, who had 69 goals the year before Berube came, scored 60 goals in 127 games over the previous two seasons despite regular injury concerns.
Chayka currently oversees a critical offseason that includes the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The club must choose if to use the pick on a young playmaker or trade it for experienced assistance to complement Matthews, who has two years left on his current contract.
