Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube back on May 13, following a disappointing 2025-26 season where the Maple Leafs missed the postseason for the first time in a decade. The Edmonton Oilers fall into a similar situation where they fell short of expectations. After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals back-to-back seasons, the Oilers weren't able to get to that same level during the regular season, as well as during the playoffs, losing in the first round to the Anaheim Ducks in six games. The Oilers, just days after they lost general manager Stan Bowman, decided it was time to cut ties with Connor McDavid's former junior coach, Kris Knoblauch. And now, they're turning to a familiar name to try and right the ship. Edmonton Oilers speaking with Craig Berube According to Sportsnet's NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs granted the Oilers permission to begin talks with Craig Berube. Later, according to Ryan Rishaug of TSN, the Oilers are expected to conduct a formal interview with the former Stanley Cup champion. For the Oilers, Berube could be the coach they need to finally get over the hump. They still haven't been granted permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy, as the Vegas Golden Knights are in the Western Conference Finals, and will likely keep the Oilers and other teams waiting until their Stanley Cup run comes to an end. So, as of right now, Craig Berube remains the frontrunner for the Oilers' next bench boss. Is Berube the right choice for the Oilers? Craig Berube in Edmonton could be a very interesting combination; whether or not he fits the way their star players like to play remains a question that won't be answered until the season begins, if hired, of course. Similar to the Maple Leafs, the Oilers play a fast offensive brand of hockey, in which Berube ultimately changed. This resulted in Matthews becoming a far more rounded player; however, his offensive numbers took a turn for the worse. Could something like this happen to Connor McDavid, to the extent of Matthews? I don't believe so, but as the main driving force of the Oilers offence, they need him to be able to produce at the same level we have seen. As the Oilers remain at the opening stages of their coaching search, Berube being hired is just speculation; however, with initial talks underway, we could see this developing into more very soon.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images As the Toronto Maple Leafs search for their new head coach, following the firing of Craig Berube, they will need to find the right candidate to have it work for their star center Auston Matthews The Maple Leafs have turned the page and are searching for their fourth head coach over the past ten seasons, and they can't get this one wrong. Over the past decade, they have had several coaches with different styles that can't seem to work well with the Maple Leafs and their most important player. Auston Matthews struggled under Craig Berube Auston Matthews, to begin the offseason, has not been able to commit to the Maple Leafs long-term as his contract is set to expire following the 2027-2028 campaign. Under Berube, Matthews' offensive production took a massive drop off. After scoring 69 goals under Keefe, he managed just 33 goals the following season, and 27 this past year under Berube. While it is safe to say Matthews has become a much more well-rounded player, you are not paying your captain $13.25 million to be a defense-first player. The Maple Leafs need to find a coach who is a healthy balance of all these things combined. The management staff of Chayka and Mats Sundin need to take their time finding the 42nd head coach of the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews will likely be a part of this search, whether that is right or wrong, as if the Maple Leafs want to get back into the postseason next year, they need him back at the top of his game. Maple Leafs coaches over the years Mike Babcock was part of the early stages of the Auston Matthews era, when the young core was becoming established. Babcock didn't fit well with the group they had, and hasn't had a job in the NHL since then. Sheldon Keefe took over during the 2019-20 season, after Babcock had been fired after the Maple Leafs got off to a rough start to the campaign. Keefe, over his tenure with the Maple Leafs, played good cop, and while that is great and all, you can't all be that way. Keefe delivered the Maple Leafs first playoff round win during the 2022-23 season. Following the Maple Leafs ' first-round loss to the Boston Bruins in 2023-24, the general manager at the time, Brad Treliving, decided to move on from Keefe and bring in Craig Berube. Many were very excited about the Berube signing, myself included; the Maple Leafs had finally found a coach who was a mix of Keefe and Babcock. Berube had won the Stanley Cup back in 2019 after what is seen to many as a legendary speech ahead of the game. Berube's tenure in Toronto had a lot of mixed emotions. He was very successful in his first season, but clearly lost the room during the 2025-26 season. Now, it is up to the Leafs to get this one right for the sake of their star player.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Dakota Mermis during the 2024 offseason, the move was viewed strictly as a depth addition on the blue line. The Maple Leafs were looking to add experienced defenders who could step into the lineup when injuries occurred and help stabilize the backend for the Toronto Marlies. Mermis arrived in Toronto after spending time with multiple NHL organizations, including the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, and New Jersey Devils. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation as a dependable depth defenceman who can move the puck effectively and provide reliable minutes when called upon. The expectation for Mermis was never to become a full-time NHL contributor with the Maple Leafs. Instead, the organization viewed him as a veteran option who could provide support on the backend and play crucial minutes with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. Mermis is a piece who can also fill into the lineup when injuries arise with the Maple Leafs. Dakota Mermis' stats during the 2025-26 season Mermis appeared in 14 games for the Maple Leafs during the 2025-26 season, recording one goal while averaging limited minutes in a bottom-pairing role. He was primarily used during stretches when injuries and roster changes forced Toronto to shuffle its defensive core. Mermis provided steady depth minutes and brought a calming presence defensively during difficult stretches of the season. He was never expected to drive offence, but rather provide reliable shifts and avoid costly mistakes. With the Marlies, Mermis played a much larger role throughout the year. He suited up in 27 games in the AHL, recording one goal and six assists for seven points. His veteran presence became important in the Marlies lineup, especially as the Marlies pushed toward the postseason. Mermis did not have the opportunity to play a full season after missing time due to an injury sustained against the Tampa Bay Lightning back on December 8th. Did Dakota Mermis live up to expectations? Considering what the Maple Leafs have asked of Mermis, it is fair to say Mermis met expectations and did exactly what the Maple Leafs hoped he would do. Toronto did not bring him in expecting top-four production or major offensive numbers. The organization wanted dependable defensive depth and a player who could transition between the NHL and AHL while being successful at both levels. When called upon at the NHL level, Mermis played well and provided stable minutes on the blue line. He did not look overwhelmed defensively and was able to move the puck effectively, which came during an important stretch of the season when the Maple Leafs still felt there was a chance at making the postseason. What can we expect from Dakota Mermis next season? Mermis is likely to remain a depth option for the organization moving into the 2026-27 season, assuming the Maple Leafs decide to keep him within the system. With John Chayka and Mats Sundin now leading the front office, Toronto is expected to get younger and faster on the blue line. That could make it difficult for Mermis to carve out a consistent NHL role moving forward. However, players like Mermis still hold value across an organization. Injuries are going to happen during an NHL season, and having experienced depth defenders who understand their role is extremely important for a team trying to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images Three Toronto Maple Leafs players stood out during the opening day at the IIHF World Hockey Championships. John Tavares and Morgan Rielly played for Team Canada as they faced off against Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Team Sweden. Canada ended up winning the contest 5-3, but each player contributed on the scoresheet for each of their countries. Maple Leafs with a strong opening day at the IIHF World Hockey Championships John Tavares continued his hot streak when competing with Canada as he scored a goal during the team's opener, in just over eight minutes. Morgan Rielly registered an assist during Canada's win, while playing just under 11 minutes, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson recorded an assist as well in the contest, as he led the way for the Maple Leafs players, having a time on ice of 16:52. Tavares later continued his strong play on Saturday as he recorded two assists in Team Canada's 6-0 win over Team Italy. Joseph Woll continues to struggle as USA drops their opening game Joseph Woll struggled in Team USA's opener, as they lost 3-1 in a gold medal rematch against Team Switzerland. Woll saved 17 shots and the 20 shots he faced during the loss. Woll had an up-and-down year with the Maple Leafs as he struggled to close out the regular season. This tournament is used for the Missouri native to regain confidence heading into next season; however, based on how this play continues throughout the remainder of the championship, it could be seen as the opposite. In terms of the USA's sake, they will need to rely on Woll if they want any chance of winning consecutive gold medals, as other teams, at first glance, look to be stronger. It will only be a matter of time to see how the rest of the tournament shapes up, as Tavares and Rielly continue their search for a gold medal on Monday as they face Denmark. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Sweden will continue the preliminary round on Sunday as they face off against Denmark, while the USA and Joseph Woll are set to play Great Britain on Sunday.

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been given the honour to captain Team Sweden at the IIHF World Hockey Championships. Lucas Raymond and Mattias Ekholm will serve as the team's alternate captains, Sweden announced. Oliver Ekman-Larsson speaks on being captain of Team Sweden “I feel honoured by the opportunity to be captain of Tre Kronor for the third time in my career. We have already now begun building a strong team spirit, and we will continue to build it every day during this championship.” Ekman-Larsson said, via Sweden’s national team’s Twitter account. Ekman-Larsson is coming off a strong season in Toronto, where he was consistently one of the team's best defenseman. The 34-year-old finished sixth in points this season, where he registered 39 points, including eight goals in 78 games. This was the Swedish defenseman's best campaign since 2018-19, when he was a member of the Arizona Coyotes. Ekman-Larsson played a critical role on the Maple Leafs blue line, playing long minutes in the top four as well as on the power play. Following the 2025-26 season, Ekman-Larsson was named the Maple Leafs nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy. Experience representing Team Sweden at the international stage Ekman-Larsson has a wealth of experience representing Team Sweden at the international stage. He has played on the Olympic stage twice in his career, in 2014 and 2026, and has appeared at the IIHF World Hockey Championships on seven occasions. He was also a member of the World Junior Championships in 2010. This decision made by Sweden was a no-brainer, as he has the most experience of any player on the roster and is one of the best defenders they have heading into the games. Ekman-Larsson later spoke to the media on the opportunity of playing with potential number one overall pick Ivar Stenberg. “He’s a fantastic player. He really showed that at the World Juniors, which I watched, but also here with the national team. He’s not here just to be here; he’s here because he belongs at this level and wants to contribute. I feel the same way about all the junior players here.” Ekman-Larsson said to Robin Olausson of Hockeysverige. As the games have begun, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and the rest of Team Sweden are hoping for a magical run as they look to obtain the gold medal.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history, and much of the attention is around captain Auston Matthews and his long-term future with the organization. Matthews remains under contract through the 2027-28 season; however, there have been major rumours surrounding his commitment to the club. Recent reports from Chris Johnston of The Athletic and comments from general manager John Chayka suggest that Matthews wants to see a clear vision for how the team plans to return to Stanley Cup contention before committing to another long-term extension, but more importantly, wants to see these plans happen, instead of just words. Auston Matthews unsure of the Maple Leafs direction After the Maple Leafs missed the postseason for the first time in a decade, it can be understandable to many that Matthews can be questioning the direction of the Maple Leafs; however, what is becoming concerning is that the Scottsdale native doesn't want to be part of the solution and is creating more issues around the organization that aren't needed. What also comes as a surprise to many is that Matthews hasn't done anything in the postseason to earn this position with the team. What Matthews is likely looking for is a clear direction and vision from both Mats Sundin and John Chayka. Replacing both Brad Treliving and Craig Berube was the right decision; both are good at their jobs. However, that place was not going to be in Toronto. Craig Berube is an incredible coach in the NHL, but he didn't fit the way the style of the Maple Leafs players, and Treliving was put in an awkward position from the very beginning, with Keith Pelley being no help. Chayka, from the very beginning, noted that he trusts Matthews' opinion, highlighting that he is the leader in the locker room and is valued in all facets of the team. The two are set to discuss their plans in the near future, but to this point, there is no set date. That meeting will make it much clearer for everyone in terms of where the Maple Leafs need to get better in the players' eyes. Roster changes need to happen everywhere in every position for this team to get back to where it once was. The Maple Leafs need improvement in all areas of the ice Toronto’s biggest issues in 2025-26 were on the blue line and in overall defensive structure. The team struggled to move the puck efficiently and spent too much time in its own zone. Improving the defence will be one of the front office’s top priorities. The Maple Leafs also struggled to score at times, finding it difficult to rely on their depth scoring. Since the departure of Mitch Marner, the Maple Leafs have not replaced his talent and playmaking ability, leaving Matthews to carry the top line on his own, which he is clearly not capable of doing at this point in his career. Auston Matthews wants to see a clear plan, meaningful roster improvements, and a commitment to winning before deciding whether to spend the rest of his career in Toronto. The good news for the Maple Leafs is that they now have a new leadership group, the first overall pick, and an opportunity to retool the team quickly.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images When the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Joseph Woll in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft, the organization believed they had found a potential starting goaltender for the future. Over the past few seasons, Woll has shown flashes of that upside, delivering strong stretches of play and proving he can perform at a high level when healthy. The 2025-26 season, however, was a challenging one for Woll. After entering the year as Toronto’s projected number-one goaltender, Woll struggled with consistency behind a team that endured significant defensive issues and ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Despite the down season, Woll remains a critical part of the Maple Leafs’ long-term plans. With a new front office led by John Chayka and Mats Sundin, the organization will need to determine whether Woll is still the goaltender they can build around moving towards the future. Joseph Woll's stats during the 2025-26 season Woll appeared in 39 games for the Maple Leafs during the 2025-26 campaign, posting a 15-16-7 record with a 3.34 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. Those numbers represented the most difficult season of his NHL career and marked the first time his save percentage dipped below the .900 mark. While the statistics were disappointing, they do not tell the full story. Toronto struggled defensively throughout the season, often allowing high-danger scoring chances and leaving their goaltenders exposed. Woll had stretches where he looked unbeatable, but he was unable to maintain that level consistently over the course of the entirety of the season. Joseph Woll also missed the beginning of the Maple Leafs season as one day before the home opener against the Montreal Canadiens, Woll took a leave of absence leaving a massive hole between the pipes for the Maple Leafs. Following the season, Woll was named to United States men's national ice hockey team for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, giving him an opportunity to regain confidence and carry momentum into the offseason. Did Joseph Woll live up to expectations? Based on the expectations entering the season, it is fair to say Woll fell short. Heading into the season, the Maple Leafs were looking for a strong tandem between Woll and Anthony Stolarz. While at times Woll played solid hockey, it was way too inconsistent. Throughout the campagin Woll would play well for a stretch of 10 games, then would get injured and then struggle to get back to his game, before repeating this cycle. That said, Woll should not shoulder all of the blame for Toronto’s struggles. The team’s defensive structure was poor, and the lack of reliable puck movement on the back end created difficult conditions for both Woll and the rest of the goaltending tandem. Even with a disappointing season, Woll has already shown enough in previous seasons to suggest he is capable of bouncing back. One difficult season does not erase the promise he has displayed when healthy and confident. What can we expect from Joseph Woll next season? Woll is expected to return to the 2026-27 season as the Maple Leafs starting netminder. Anthony Stolarz struggled in the net this past season, leaving him behind the eight ball for the number one job. The organization still believes in his talent, and his performance at the World Championship could serve as a valuable confidence boost heading into training camp. If Toronto improves its defensive play during the offseason, Woll should be in a much better position to succeed. The Maple Leafs still view Woll as a key piece of their future. If he rebounds in 2026-27, he can become the long-term answer in net and play a major role in helping Toronto return to playoff contention next season.

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history. After missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, the organization is under significant pressure, with newly hired general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin facing several critical decisions that will decide the fate of the Maple Leafs future. And now, that could involve making a big acquisition in a needed position. John Chayka has already made significant moves within the organization, firing head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs have also had some good luck since their arrival, winning the draft lottery, allowing them to draft first overall on June 26 in Buffalo. Recent reports from NHL insiders include that Auston Matthews is unwilling to commit to the team long-term unless there are meaningful upgrades to the roster in all facets. One player, according to NHL insider Darren Dreger, that the Maple Leafs are targeting is center Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers. Darren Dreger reports the Maple Leafs' interest in Vincent Trocheck Darren Dreger reported this while on TSN's OverDrive on Thursday, talking about how there might be a fit between the Leafs and Rangers. "We know that New York is trying to get off the contract of Trocheck. Toronto is among the teams that have some interest, for sure," Dreger said. "But if you think about it -- could he play the two-hole and then Tavares slides to three?" Trocheck has been a player who has been rumoured to be on the trading block since the trade deadline back in March. With a trade not coming to fruition, the next opportunity for Trocheck to be on the move is the NHL Draft. The 32-year-old has had a very solid NHL career and has taken his game to new heights with the Rangers. Despite the team's struggles, Trocheck played a crucial role during their 2023-24 playoff run. During the 2025-26 season, Trocheck was able to register 53 points, including 16 goals in 67 games. It will be a tall task to acquire Trocheck from the Rangers Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, it will not be an easy task to acquire the veteran centre. A very good possibility Trocheck did not get moved at the deadline was because the Rangers' asking price was far too high for any team willing to pay that price. If the Maple Leafs can acquire the Pittsburgh native, he will fill a very important missing piece in the Maple Leafs top six, being able to take over as the second line centre, moving John Tavares to the third line. What makes Trocheck even more valuable to the Maple Leafs is his contract situation; he still has three years remaining at a very reasonable $5.625 million deal, leaving the Maple Leafs with the chance to acquire more pieces to their lineup. Acquiring Trocheck will not be easy for any team in the league, but it could turn the tide in Toronto. The fit between the two feels seamless, and it could be time for the New York Rangers to head towards a full-fledged rebuild after finishing last in the Eastern Conference.

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs made the tough decision to let go of their head coach, Craig Berube, John Chayka announced on Wednesday. Berube's tenure in Toronto lasted just two seasons, which, looking back, comes as a surprise to many. The former head coach posted a record of 84-62-18 during his time in Toronto, while helping the Maple Leafs reach game seven of the second round against the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, which was the furthest the team has gotten in the Auston Matthews era. Easton Cowan was a player who developed under Berube with the Maple Leafs. At times during the season, having Berube as the coach was not an easy task for Cowan, but he improved in many areas of his game throughout the season, being one of the very few bright spots. The 20-year-old recorded 11 goals and 18 assists in 66 games, and has produced three points in four playoff games with the Toronto Marlies. Cowan finished the season strong with nine points over the course of his last 15 games, and praised Berube on Thursday for helping the young forward find his game during a difficult season. Easton Cowan speaks on Craig Berube's firing Cowan spoke to NHL insider Mark Masters following the Marlies practice on Thursday about the firing. “Unfortunately, that’s part of the business, obviously, we had a tough year. He taught me a lot. He’s a good coach, and I learned a lot from him. He taught me how to simplify the game and just help some little things around the game.” Cowan told Mark Masters. “I’m just going to keep playing my game. Obviously, someone new is coming in to coach the Leafs. They’re probably watching, whoever it is, so keep competing, keep playing my game leading into the summer, have a good summer and be ready for camp.” Cowan later added. Easton Cowan is an important peice to the Maple Leafs success moving forward Cowan is going to be a key member of the Maple Leafs success moving forward. He is one of their very few prospects in the organization, and it will be key for whoever the next head coach is to continue his development positively. Craig Berube did not provide Cowan with the correct tools to succeed in the NHL last season. While he did help make Cowan a far more well-rounded player, he often scratched the 20-year-old for a more veteran lineup and was not put in the right spot in the lineup to produce. When played alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, he was dynamic and was able to find his game, but being moved around too often limited his chances of being a more effective player within the forward core. Hockey players will not rock the boat too hard, so despite mishandling his rookie year entirely, Cowan wasn't going to lambast Berube on the way out. But, he still said some positive things about the time under Berube. Easton Cowan and the Maple Leafs will look to bounce back in 2026-27, with their new head coach playing an important piece to the puzzle.

Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images The Buffalo Sabres entered Game 4 of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in desperate need of a win. After taking Game 1, Buffalo’s approach quickly unraveled, as the Canadiens adjusted and found a formula to score in bunches and take the lead in the series. Many expected Lindy Ruff to make minor changes within the Sabres lineup, as they were the best team in the Atlantic Division and had seen success throughout the postseason to date; however, he made the bold decision to put Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the net over Alex Lyon. Lyon to this point had been strong in the playoffs, but after allowing a combined 11 goals over three games against the Canadiens, the Sabres coaching staff understood it was time to make a change. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Silences the Doubts in Game Four Heading into the game, there was uncertainty about what to expect from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the young netminder who struggled early in the first round against the Boston Bruins before giving way to Alex Lyon, who has handled the bulk of the starts over the past couple of weeks. In a two-game stretch against Boston, Luukkonen allowed seven goals on more than 40 shots. The game got off to a rocky start for Luukkonen and the Sabres. After scoring the opening goal in the first frame, the Canadiens struck back with two to end the period. From that point on, Luukkonen dominated the remainder of the game. The Canadiens continued to push throughout the game; however, the Finnish native was there to shut the door when things got tough late in the contest. The Timing of the Decision to Take Lyon Out of the Net The timing of the decision could not have been better. While Ruff postgame defended Lyon’s game and made it clear that it wasn’t due to the play of his netminder, he understood things needed to change if the Sabres wanted any chance of winning this series. Luukkonen spoke to the media postgame about what the win meant for the Sabres as well as himself moving forward in the playoffs. “At this point of the year, it doesn’t matter to me (if I start). As long as we win, that’s the most important thing,” Luukkonen said. “It feels good to come in and be able to help the team to win, too.” The Sabres are expected to run with Luukkonen for the remainder of the series, unless things begin to head south between the pipes.