What to know
- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday that they parted ways with head coach Craig Berube following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- General manager John Chayka said the move reflects “an organizational shift” and a desire for a fresh start rather than a direct evaluation of Berube’s coaching.
- Chayka, who joined the organization earlier this month alongside senior executive adviser Mats Sundin, did not provide details on when the team will hire a new head coach.
- Fans online reacted with mixed emotions, with some praising the decision as a needed reset for the franchise while others argued the Leafs’ ongoing struggles are not a coaching issue after multiple bench changes in recent years.
The Toronto Maples Leafs have seen another shake up behind the bench, as they’ve announced they have parted ways with head coach Craig Berube.
General Manager John Chayka made the announcement on the team’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday morning.
Chayka himself just joined the team alongside Senior Executive Adviser of Hockey Operations Mats Sundin earlier in May.
“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” Chayka said in an NHL article. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig.”
Chayka added that the team and staff are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Leafs.
Chayka did not provide any other information following the announcement.
The announcement comes after the team did not qualify for the 2025-2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, falling short when they lost seven games in a row before being eliminated. The last time the Leafs didn’t qualify was the 2016-17 season.
Chayka did not say when a new head coach will be chosen, but the next coach will determine the makeup of the finalized coaching staff.
From ‘a W move from John Chayka’ to ‘Not a coaching issue’: Leafs fans react to Craig Berube firing
Following the announcement, many people online reacted to the team and Berube’s parting.
With mixed emotions, some fans welcomed the change of authority.
“That’s how we do it, baby,” one X user responded. “And the captain isn’t going anywhere now. This is how a real team operates.”
“Tell [Chayka] Leafs nation loves him dearly,” another X user directly told the team.
Another person said this was the right move on the new GM’s part.
“That’s a W move from John Chayka.” another fan on X wrote. “I like him, getting down to business”
Although, some people did not agree with the move, and didn’t plan on getting their hopes up with the change.
Another fan agreed, writing on X that the team losing wasn’t a coaching issue.
“Five coaches in the last 10 years . Not a coaching issue,” they said.
“What a sh*t show,” another fan on X wrote.
The NHL 2026-2027 pre-season is projected to begin in September 2026.
