Newly hired head coach Craig Berube has unveiled his coaching strategy for the Toronto Maple Leafs as he seeks to bring the change Toronto fans have been waiting for. After Sheldon Keefe’s dismissal, Berube, the man who broke St. Louis’ long Stanley Cup drought in 2019, now aims to do the same for the Leafs, who haven’t lifted the Cup in 57 years.

During his first media availability, Berube emphasized his desire for a fast, heavy, and structured team, saying, “We want to play fast and heavy—not about fighting, but about winning puck battles and being strong on pucks.” He stressed the importance of structure across all three zones.

In a more detailed interview, Berube further outlined his philosophy, focusing on team-first mentality and aggressive, disciplined hockey. “When I look at teams that win, it’s always about the team… It’s not about individuals,” Berube said, reinforcing the importance of collective effort and even ice time distribution, similar to the balanced approach he used with St. Louis.

This shift could reduce the pressure on the “Core 4″—Nylander, Marner, Tavares, and Matthews—and foster contributions from the entire roster. While Berube isn’t expecting instant miracles, he’s committed to building a team that’s hard to play against. With his approach, Berube could be the key to finally ending Toronto’s long championship drought.