"We are cooked" "Why not Bruce Boudreau?": Maple Leafs fan react as Toronto signs Steve Sullivan as assistant coach after firing Savard

Earlier this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a notable change behind the bench, firing assistant coach Marc Savard in an effort to address the club’s ongoing struggles.

To fill the vacancy, the organization promoted Steve Sullivan on Friday from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The former NHL forward has been part of the Leafs’ development system and is familiar with many of the club’s younger players, a factor that likely influenced the decision.

The hiring, however, was met with a wave of skepticism from the fan base. On X, many questioned whether Sullivan’s track record with the Marlies’ power play which ranked in the lower half of the AHL’s Eastern Conference made him the right choice to fix Toronto’s NHL-level problems.

Following are some fan reactions from X:

“The marlies are 10th out of 15th on power play in the eastern conference. I fear we are cooked.”

Some fans pointed to more experienced options openly wondering why a veteran coach like Bruce Boudreau was not considered. Others dismissed the move altogether, insisting the responsibility should rest squarely on the players and not the coaching staff.

“Nothing against Sully, but why not Bruce Boudreau? Excellent with the players, very successful coach. I don’t get it! Can someone explain?”

Marc Savard’s dismissal followed months of mounting frustration around Toronto’s power play which ranked at or near the bottom of the NHL. Brought in to help modernize the Leafs’ offensive approach, Savard oversaw a unit that failed to gain traction despite the team’s high-end talent. With the Leafs sliding in the standings and searching for answers, it seems management opted for a midseason shake-up appointing Steve Sullivan rather than a broader overhaul.

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Maple Leafs GM addressed head coach Craig Berube’ job security

Earlier last week, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving publicly moved to quiet rumors surrounding head coach Craig Berube’s job security.

Speaking to the media, Treliving made it clear he fully supports Berube and rejected suggestions that the coach was under pressure or that there was any disconnect between management and the coaching staff.

“I want to make it clear. I support Craig fully,” Treliving told reporters.

He stressed that decision-making is collective and that accountability for the team’s performance is shared across the organization.

Treliving also addressed speculation that surfaced around the 25-to-30 game mark suggesting internal friction, dismissing it as an inaccurate narrative.

“One of the narratives coming out was there is a disconnect between the coach and I. There isn’t a disconnect. We all have to be better,” he said.

In the same availability, Treliving clarified the Leafs’ competitive approach moving forward. He stressed that the team has not shifted into a sell-off mindset and still believes the roster can be strengthened for a playoff push.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno