Marc Savard Fired....Is it enough?
The first casualty of this frustrating Leafs season is here, and honestly, it’s about time. Back from a winless road trip, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that Assistant Coach Marc Savard has been shown the door. And let’s be real — the power play begged for it. A 13% success rate. Twelve goals. Watching it was like watching a toddler try to drive a Ferrari — chaotic, and destined to crash. Enough was enough.
Most coaches adjust. Marc never did. Toronto struggles to get the puck into the offensive zone, and when they finally do… crickets. A strong power play fires shots from the point, and players crash the net with chaos in front of the goalie. Toronto? Endless passing, chasing a “perfect” opportunity that never comes because opponents already know every move. Watching it was like being stuck in a bad rerun that never ends.
No replacement has been named yet, though that could change later in the season. And yes, some fans are asking why Mike Van Ryn or Derek LaLonde weren’t fired. I get it. But LaLonde runs the penalty kill, and Toronto ranks sixth in the league. That’s working. Leave him alone. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
The bigger question: what actually changes now? Firing Marc was necessary, but don’t pretend this suddenly turns Toronto into a juggernaut. Confidence is shattered. Players are being chewed out constantly. Yelling might work once or twice — after that, it kills trust. Players overthink everything. Mistakes pile up like empty beer cans after a playoff loss. Ugly. Brutal. Painful.
Some will shrug and say, “They’re professionals; they can handle it.” Picture this: you’re with your partner. A few arguments? Fine. Constant yelling? You stop trying. You tune them out. That’s Craig Berube’s locker room. That’s why the team looks lost and why they can’t play freely.
Look at William Nylander after the loss in Dallas. He said, “I don’t think I’ve gone through something like this ever,” looking like he’s on the verge of tears. Watching him, you could see the weight of frustration in his eyes. If I were coaching, Nylander would be on a line with Matthews. Forget defensive schemes for a moment — let them play to their strengths. Rebuild confidence first. Then bring back the system. Confidence earns trust. Trust earns everything else. It’s hockey 101.
Marc Savard is gone. He was brought in by Berube, and TSN’s Chris Johnston called it a possible warning shot to Chief. Time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the Leafs’ drama behind the bench is just getting started. Strap in, Leafs fans. This ride is far from over.
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