The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant in-season coaching change, parting ways with assistant coach Marc Savard on Monday. The move comes as the storied franchise grapples with a deeply disappointing 2025-26 campaign, currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
A Change They Could Make
General Manager Brad Treliving addressed the media on Tuesday, framing the dismissal as a necessary adjustment. "It was a change that we could make, right?" Treliving stated. He emphasized that with the team's severe underperformance, particularly on the power play, this was a lever the organization could pull. The Leafs' power play unit is ranked dead last in the 32-team National Hockey League, a shocking statistic for a roster laden with offensive talent.
Treliving clarified that the firing does not absolve the players of their responsibility for the team's failures. However, with the NHL trade market complex and player movement hindered by no-trade clauses, altering the coaching staff presented a more immediate option for the front office.
Berube's Terse Reaction and Ongoing Pressure
Head coach Craig Berube met reporters shortly after Treliving, offering a brief and somber reaction. "It's tough. Good friend. Known him for a long time," Berube said of Savard. He acknowledged the power play's persistent struggles and accepted ultimate responsibility, stating, "It's ultimately on me."
Despite the team's record, Treliving reiterated his support for Berube, providing another public vote of confidence. However, the GM made it clear that the spotlight must now intensify on both the head coach and the team's core players. The expectation is for leaders like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares to elevate their play and pull the team out of its slump.
Roster Changes Loom if Turnaround Fails
The firing of an assistant coach mid-season is a rare occurrence in the NHL, typically reserved for when a head coach is replaced. This move signals that more drastic changes could be on the horizon if results do not improve. Treliving admitted that while he is not currently "waving a white flag" on the season, he is constantly monitoring the league for potential trades.
Any major transaction would be complicated by the no-move and no-trade clauses held by many of Toronto's highest-paid stars. Treliving confirmed he has not asked any player to waive such protection, nor has franchise cornerstone Auston Matthews requested a trade. However, the implication is clear: if the team's fortunes do not change by the March 6 trade deadline, the calculus for the front office could shift dramatically.
The Leafs return from the Christmas break to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. With the season nearly half over, the organization is betting that a shake-up behind the bench will spark a much-needed revival. The dismissal of Marc Savard may have been the easiest available decision, but it places immense pressure on everyone else in the organization to finally deliver.
