Leafs head coach Craig Berube refuses to answer a reporter's absurd question
Coaches in sports are used to getting asked strange questions by reporters, and new Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube just experienced his first.
When Berube took the head coaching job for the Leafs, he probably expected the pressure that comes with it. With a Stanley Cup win in 2019 as the coach of the St. Louis Blues, Berube brings plenty of experience. However, coaching in Toronto is different. The media and fanbase are known for being some of the toughest in the league. Last night, Berube got his first taste during a post-game interview.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, expectations for the Leafs are sky-high. But after back-to-back preseason losses to the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto media quickly started showing signs of concern. One reporter even asked if it was time to panic. Berube's expression, a mix of shock and amusement, said it all.
- Craig Berube
This was evident when Alex Steeves, a relatively new player with just seven NHL games, scored the Leafs' only goal in their latest outing. Of course, many of Toronto's top stars-Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner-didn't play in the game, but that didn't stop the media from raising concerns.
Berube took over after Sheldon Keefe was let go following yet another disappointing playoff exit in 2024, with the Leafs falling to the Boston Bruins. Berube is anticipated to deliver the playoff success that Leafs supporters and management are sorely lacking.
Berube stated that the squad has to hone their skills and manage the puck better after the preseason setback. Preseason setbacks don't necessarily mean that things should get out of hand; he is aware of the intense pressure in Toronto. Berube is aware that the real test will occur once the regular season starts and that playoff performance will be the final gauge of success.
| POLL | ||
25 SEPTEMBRE | 202 ANSWERS Leafs head coach Craig Berube refuses to answer a reporter's absurd question Do you think Craig Berube will have success with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 106 | 52.5 % |
| No | 96 | 47.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
