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Craig Berube makes brutally honest Mitch Marner admission
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- Craig Berube makes brutally honest Mitch Marner admission
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Craig Berube was fired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs , following a dismal 2025-26 campaign. Berube is now speaking out about what went wrong in Toronto during his last season. The former head coach says losing star Mitch Marner was just a brutal blow .
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"We lost our emotional leader, for sure," Berube said, per Simmer's Morning Skate podcast.
Marner left Toronto following the 2024-25 season. He signed a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights , and helped lead that team to this season's Stanley Cup Final. Vegas would lose in the final to the Carolina Hurricanes .
"I thought Mitch was the energy. He brought the energy and the emotion to the game, I thought, on a nightly basis. And in practice. Vocal guy, chatted a lot on the bench, chatted a lot in practice, brought the energy. If he came back to the bench, he let guys know, 'Pick it up, let's go.' He was great. I really enjoyed coaching him," Berube added, which was reported also by The Score.
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During the 2025-26 season, Toronto mustered just 78 points. The Maple Leafs didn't qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
While Toronto struggled, Marner and his Golden Knights soared. The winger posted a whopping 29 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Vegas.
Maple Leafs have a new head coach
Former Toronto assistant Jim Hiller is returning to the team , as the new head coach. Hiller is excited about the opportunity to lead this historic franchise .
"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs," Hiller said in a statement. "This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations. I'm looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential."
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Hiller also previously worked as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings . He will be tasked with leading Toronto back to the playoffs, after this last frustrating season.
The Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cups in the NHL. Toronto hasn't accomplished that feat though since 1967.
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