The Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant change on Monday by letting go of assistant coach Marc Savard. This comes as the team struggles, currently sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with only one win in their last five games.
Savard was responsible for the power play, which is underperforming at just 13.3%, the lowest in the league. So far this December, the team has scored only two power-play goals while also giving up two shorthanded goals.
Savard joined the Maple Leafs in March 2024, recruited by coach Craig Berube, who had previously worked with him in St. Louis. Savard took a break from hockey to spend more time with family before returning to coaching.
It remains unclear if the Leafs will hire someone new to fill Savard’s role or rely on their current coaching staff. The pressure is now on Berube and the remaining coaches to rejuvenate the team.
Despite having talented players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares, the team has struggled. Nylander hasn’t scored in 11 games, Matthews has just 14 goals this season, and Tavares has managed only two goals in his last 14 outings. Currently, Toronto’s offense ranks 12th in the league, while they are allowing the seventh-most goals.
These issues are drawing concern among fans and analysts alike. A recent survey from The Athletic revealed that nearly 60% of Maple Leafs fans feel frustrated with the team’s performance. They express growing impatience as high expectations continue to go unmet.
As the Maple Leafs prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, they’re searching for a turnaround during this crucial period before the holiday break. It’s an important time for the team to find their footing and regain confidence before heading into the second half of the season.
For more insights on NHL coaching changes and team performance, you can check out this NHL report.
