Craig Berube, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is preparing for the upcoming season with a mix of optimism and challenge. Berube previously led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019, a season marked by unexpected performances from players like Jaden Schwartz, who scored 12 playoff goals despite a regular season total of just 11. He also relied on rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington and a team led by Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored 33 goals that season.

As the Maple Leafs' training camp begins, Berube sees potential in his current roster. Captain Auston Matthews, despite having his worst season with only 33 goals, is joined by William Nylander, who had a career-high 45 goals, and John Tavares, who continues to score consistently. Berube's past experiences give him confidence as he faces the task of coaching a team that has historically struggled in the playoffs.

Berube has a reputation for winning with less talent and fewer resources. He now faces the challenge of leading the Maple Leafs, a team that has not reached its full potential in recent years. The departure of star player Mitch Marner adds to the complexity of his task. Berube's coaching style emphasizes a more traditional, hard-nosed approach to the game, which he plans to implement this season.

He aims to build on the progress made during his first year, focusing on a north-south style of play that prioritizes defensive responsibility and puck battles. The Maple Leafs showed promise last season but faltered at critical moments against the Florida Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions. Berube noted, "It’s OK to bend in those games. Not OK to break."

The list of NHL coaches with multiple Stanley Cup wins is short, and Berube is not rushing to discuss championship aspirations. Instead, he is focused on the immediate challenges of training camp. Key players like Matthews and Tavares have faced scrutiny after the team's recent coaching changes and playoff disappointments. Tavares acknowledged the personal impact of these firings, stating, "You definitely take it personally."

The Maple Leafs have a history of underperforming despite having high-scoring players. Last season, Marner scored 102 points, yet the team failed to advance in the playoffs. Berube understands the importance of adapting to the current roster and maximizing the potential of each player. As he begins this new season, he is aware that success will require both individual and collective growth from his team.

With a roster that resembles the Blues' championship team more than ever, Berube is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. General manager Brad Treliving remarked, "The reality is, we’ll see," as the team looks to redefine its identity and pursue a deeper playoff run.