Craig Berube shocked by absurd question asked by reporter following loss
Following the Leafs' second straight loss to the Senators, a reporter asked coach Craig Berube a ridiculous question that left everyone in disbelief.
Craig Berube walked into a pressure cooker when he agreed to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the most scrutinized franchises in the NHL. He took over the reins last May from Sheldon Keefe and came in with a very good resume, which includes hoisting the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues back in 2019. But Toronto hockey is a whole different animal compared to St. Louis, and Berube found that out real quick after the recent preseason game with the Maple Leafs.
As they always do, the Maple Leafs entered this season with high hopes and aspirations. Expectations remain high despite the rocky start; they lost two preseason games in a row against their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Sure, it's only preseason, but the losses invited a pointed question from a reporter if it was time to panic. Berube's reaction, a withering look, said it all.
- Craig Berube
One bright spot in their defeat was the inexperience of Alex Steeves, who has only seven NHL games under his belt and managed to score Toronto's lone goal. Still, it has to be put into consideration that Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares were out for the Leafs, and thus the lack of shine isn't completely indicative of what the team is capable of.
Sheldon Keefe's departure came at the end of another painful first-round playoff loss, this to the Boston Bruins in 2024. Less grey for Berube will be how his time is judged: based on whether he can take the Leafs deeper into the playoffs,
Berube said following the first preseason loss to Ottawa.
While the arrival of Craig Berube has injected fresh energy into the Leafs' organization, the pressure to perform, throughout both the regular season and playoffs, is immense. How he navigates the intensity of the Toronto media and the fans' expectations, while molding his team, will define his legacy as the Maple Leafs head coach.
| POLL | ||
25 SEPTEMBRE | 97 ANSWERS Craig Berube shocked by absurd question asked by reporter following loss Will Craig Berube lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Stanley Cup? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 41.2 % |
| No | 57 | 58.8 % |
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