Leafs GM Chayka says players weren’t consulted on Berube’s firing
The new man in town is trying to clear the air about what led to his first big decision in The Six.
When speaking to the media after the firing of head coach Craig Berube, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka made it known that players were not consulted leading up to the decision.
“We did not solicit feedback from the players and the coaching staff at all,” Chayka said. “The only things I heard about Craig were that they reemphasized the type of person he is and how much they enjoyed being around him. As I know, that’s been his credibility as a player and as a coach now. So, that didn’t weigh in at all.”
Chayka noted that time was of the essence when making the call to remove Berube from his post.
“We felt like you know when those decisions (to fire Berube) are made, it’s better not to delay. We thought it was the right thing to do at the right time, and we made the decision.”
When it came to discussing the type of coach he and his staff were looking for, Chayka remained ambiguous, noting that the team won’t be rushing before making the final call.
“We’ll have a thorough process,” Chayka added. “It’ll be a wide search. We’ll take our time, try to get it right. It’s the most critical decision as a general manager.”
Chayka was also asked if NHL experience would be a qualification for the next guy in charge. He acknowledged that someone with the knowledge of what it takes to coach at this level could be beneficial, but he’s keeping an open mind.
“Experience in the NHL in larger markets could be an asset, and will be weighed, but I wouldn’t discount anything at this time. … I think regardless of who the coach is, we should have an organizational vision on how we play and the things we value and then certainly through that process align on it.”
The decision to let go of the Stanley Cup champion coach came after Toronto finished last in the Atlantic this past season, missing the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign, the year before it drafted now-captain Auston Matthews. Across two seasons under Berube, the Leafs went 84-62-18.