The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday evening that they have relieved assistant coach Marc Savard of his duties. Savard joined the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. Head coach Craig Berube hired Savard to run the power play, which has seen success with the St. Louis Blues during their Stanley Cup run. For a franchise that once prided itself on elite special teams, this move feels less surprising than inevitable.
The Maple Leafs’ Struggling Power Play
The decision comes after a brutal three-game road trip in which the Maple Leafs failed to earn a single win. While Toronto’s issues extend beyond one area of the game, the power play has been impossible to ignore. The Leafs currently sit dead last in the NHL with a 13.3 percent success rate. A stunning fall for a team that featured one of the league’s most dangerous man-advantage units just a few seasons ago.
Toronto’s inability to capitalize on the power play has cost them many games this season. Zone entries have been repetitive, puck movement has lacked urgency, and shooting threats have been minimal. Opposing penalty kills have looked far more dangerous at times. Naturally, questions have arisen about whether the departure of Mitch Marner played a role in the decline, but the issues run deeper than personnel alone.
Who Will Replace Savard?
As the Maple Leafs have fired Savard, it remains unclear who will replace Savard behind the bench. That decision will fall largely on Craig Berube, who is now under increasing scrutiny himself. While Berube is firmly on the hot seat, there is no immediate indication that another coaching change is imminent in the coming days. Still, the margin for error continues to shrink.
Savard departs Toronto after a lengthy NHL career as a player, appearing in over 800 games with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, and Atlanta Thrashers. His firing signals a clear attempt by the organization to spark change.
The Maple Leafs return to action Tuesday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It represents their final opportunity to head into the Christmas break with some momentum and perhaps a sense of direction after a turbulent stretch.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
