The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 [1].
The dismissal marks a significant shift for the franchise after the team suffered its first playoff miss in a decade. This decision serves as the first major move by the organization's new general manager, John Chayka [3].
Berube spent two seasons as the head coach of the Toronto-based team [1]. Despite having signed a four-year contract [1], his tenure ended following a season in which the team posted a 32-36 record [4]. The performance left the Maple Leafs in eighth place, finishing last in the NHL’s Atlantic Division [4].
The team's failure to qualify for the postseason ended a streak that had lasted since 2016 [3]. The organization said in a statement regarding the departure that "Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person" [5].
Management had not previously indicated a change in leadership before the announcement in Toronto, Ontario [1]. The team now enters a period of transition as Chayka begins to reshape the roster and coaching staff to regain their standing in the division [3].
“The team finished last in the NHL’s Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.”
The firing of Craig Berube signals a total reset for the Toronto Maple Leafs. By ending a decade-long playoff streak and finishing last in their division, the organization has reached a breaking point with its current trajectory. The timing of the dismissal suggests that new general manager John Chayka intends to implement a new philosophical approach to the team's leadership to restore its competitive edge in the Atlantic Division.
