Just under a week ago, former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau appeared on NHL Network to discuss which teams in the Atlantic Division had the most impressive offseason. Thanks to additions like Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and reportedly, Jani Hakanpaa, Boudreau gave the Toronto Maple Leafs the top spot.
“I’m not just saying this [because] I’m from Toronto but I really like what they did with their defense. I mean, the three acquisitions that they made to bolster their defense, especially when you get (Chris) Tanev. I had (Oliver) Ekman-Larsson. When he’s at his best, he’s still a really good defenseman,” Boudreau said.
Related: Former NHL Head Coach Bruce Boudreau Believes Maple Leafs Had Most Impressive Offseason Among Atlantic Division Teams
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On Monday, Boudreau was back on the set of NHL Network, where he was asked a fan question: “What does Bruce think will be the key difference in what Craig Berube’s coaching style brings to the Leafs and does he think the players will buy in?”
Boudreau, the former NHL head coach now turned analyst, didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts, emphasizing that Craig Berube’s reputation as a no-nonsense, accountability-driven coach will be a significant change in the Leafs’ locker room.
“Well, first of all, everything I’ve heard about Craig is that the players love playing for him,” Boudreau began. “So, I mean, I think they’re going to automatically, especially in a first-year, first-time coach with the Leafs, and it’s probably different than most of the players have been in. I think they’ll buy in right away. That I think is going to be a given.”
Boudreau continued to decipher the differences from his predecessor, Sheldon Keefe, noting Berube’s stronger emphasis on defense.
“Secondly, his coaching style is a lot different than Sheldon’s (Keefe). He is thinking defense first,” Boudreau explained. “I think if the Leafs become a better defensive team, it’s not a question of whether they make the playoffs – it’s a question of how far they can go.”
As a coach in the NHL since 2007, Boudreau understands the commitment needed to build a contending team. He believes Berube’s shift in focus towards defense is exactly what the Leafs need to complement their already potent offense.
And that’s what he believes was general manager Brad Treliving’s thought process, too.
“I think that’s what Brad (Treliving) was looking for: a guy that is more of a defensive-minded coach because their offense still has the core that is going to be great,” said Boudreau. “Auston Matthews is still probably going to lead the league in scoring as far as goals go, but I mean, I think they’re going to become a better defensive team under him.”
Related: Why the Maple Leafs Hired Craig Berube as Their New Head Coach
Perhaps the most crucial element that Berube brings to the table, according to Boudreau, is the sense of accountability he instills in his teams – especially the ‘fear factor’ that the NHL has come to associate with Berube, the former enforcer.
“I think just the fear of Craig Berube being Craig Berube – the accountability is going to be there from the start,” Boudreau said. “I don’t think any of the players are going to want to challenge any of the accountability right off the bat. It’s like when you go into school and I got a new teacher, you think, ‘Let me see if I can get away with this.’ He’s not going to let them get away with anything, but I think they’ll be a better team for it and a tougher team to play against.”
Since his hiring, Berube has received praise from various former players and current NHL coaches, including Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On the first day of June, Cooper echoed Boudreau’s sentiments, saying, “I think he’s a hell of a coach. I think he gets the best out of his players. He’s an honest coach. If fans of the team want to get the most out of their players and have them… I know the way he’s going to play and it’s going to be hard to play against. But the one thing he’ll make sure he gets out of the guys is an honest effort. That’s what Craig does.”
Related: ‘He Gets The Best Out Of His Players’: Lightning Coach Jon Cooper Reveals Insights on New Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube
Berube was hired as the Leafs’ 32nd head coach in franchise history and has made it clear on countless occasions he doesn’t have time for pleasantries. The 58-year-old has coached a total of 543 regular season games with a record of 281-190-72 (.584 winning percentage) split between the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues. In the postseason, he is 27-31 and a Stanley Cup Champion with the Blues in the 2018-19 season.
In Toronto, he’ll look to join Scotty Bowman, Dick Irvin, and Tommy Gorman as the only NHL head coaches to win a Stanley Cup for two different teams.
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