NHL Rumors: Insider rules out Maple Leafs making moves for veteran HC after Savard firing

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not planning outside coaching changes after firing Marc Savard. During his time with the Leafs, Savard was responsible for handling the team's power play. However, the Leafs were struggling with a league wrost 13.0% powerplay.

This has become a major concern as the Maple Leafs have struggled to capitalize on power play opportunities to turn the game in their favor. And because of this, paired with other problems like injuries, they are placed near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They have 16-15-5 rating and 37 points.

NHL analyst Nick Alberga discussed the Leafs' power play coach decision on the Leafs Morning Take. He said Toronto never contacted Bruce Boudreau, and the team also did not look outside the organization.

"The other thing, too, is like I’m a bit mystified, or maybe that’s not even the proper word," Alberga said. "Like they didn’t replace Marc Savard. Does that just show you like what the hell was he doing? If you don’t even feel the need to replace this guy or the urgency to replace this guy, and it’s like you know what we have, Mike Van Ryn, you know, we have [Derek] Lalonde, and we’re good. "Like, I mean, the simple choice was out there. Bruce Boudreau. I could tell everybody right now he was not contacted, nor do I even think they looked externally whatsoever."

Alberga said the lack of a replacement raised questions. Toronto did not feel pressure to fill the role, and the staff stayed the same after Savard’s exit. Boudreau was an easy option, but the management chose not to act.

"I’m like, okay, who are they bringing in? Like, maybe it is Gabby [Boudreau]," Alberga said. "Maybe he’s finally getting his opportunity to run that power play. And it’s like, no, we’re not adding anybody. So then it just leads me to wonder, like what was Marc Savard’s role to begin with?"

Savard joined the Leafs when Craig Berube was hired as coach in March 2024. Berube previously worked with him in St. Louis. Savard stepped away from hockey in 2020, but he returned to coaching when Berube joined Toronto.

Maple Leafs' Berube and Treliving are safe in Toronto.

Bruce Boudreau, who is currently not coaching any NHL teams, owns 617 career NHL wins. During his time in the league, he coached four teams - Washington Capitals (2007–2011), Anaheim Ducks (2011–2016), Minnesota Wild (2016–2020), and Vancouver Canucks (2021–2023).

But despite his experience, the Maple Leafs will rely on internal solutions. Head coach Berube will continue to lead the team, and Maple Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving is handling the current slump in which the team is failing to perform.

NHL analyst Elliotte Frieman confirmed that both Berube and Treliving's jobs are safe in Toronto.

"GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube are not on the firing line." Friedman wrote in his Sportsnet column.

The Maple Leafs' only hope comes from their offense. Under Captain Auston Matthews' leadership, they are averaging 3.19 goals per game. William Nylander leads the team with 40 points and has recorded 27 assists. John Tavares leads the Leafs with 14 goals, the same as Matthews'. Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann have also performed well.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar