Bruce Cassidy might be a well-known name, but Craig Berube leaving doesn’t make Toronto seem like a great place for immediate success.
That’s why what Elliotte Friedman said makes sense. He pointed out that Cassidy is suited for a team that wants to win right away and questioned if Toronto is really in that position.
This is a strong criticism of what the Leafs have to offer. A coaching job in Toronto brings attention, money, and a spotlight, but it doesn’t guarantee a team that looks like a strong competitor.
Berube’s firing made that situation even louder, not quieter. On Wednesday, Sportsnet’s report highlighted Toronto’s coaching job and showed how quickly the conversation shifted from fixing problems to searching for a replacement.
It’s important to note that this team wasn’t just a playoff team that fell short. Berube mentioned that the Leafs ended up at the bottom of their division and ranked 28th overall after a terrible drop in performance.
The decline after the Olympic break makes what Friedman said hard to overlook. Toronto only managed to win 5 out of their last 25 games, which isn’t the kind of situation a seasoned coach thinks can be fixed easily.
Elliotte Friedman: Regarding Bruce Cassidy: He’s looking for a chance to win right away, and I’m not sure he sees Toronto as ready for that – Sportsnet Today.
Elliotte Friedman shares worrying news about Toronto’s search for a coach. Cassidy was let go by Vegas on March 30 after guiding the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup in 2023. He finished that job with a record of 178 wins, 99 losses, and 43 overtime losses over four seasons.
This is significant because coaches with such a background typically prefer a quick turnaround. They want a strong organization, a stable front office, and a team that looks ready to succeed immediately.
Toronto doesn’t appear that way from the outside. Berube mentioned at the end of the year that the team really fell behind, missed the playoffs, and needs some player changes before anyone can expect a quick improvement.
The Leafs also gave a good amount of playing time to Easton Cowan during the rough patch. He played 66 games and got 29 points, which shows that this team still has room to grow, not just a focus on winning right away.
That doesn’t mean Cassidy is off the list. It just suggests that Toronto might be more interested in him than he feels like he fits in there.
And that’s the main point from Friedman’s statement. The Leafs can pursue the top coach available all they want, but if the coach thinks the rebuild will take longer than the logo implies, convincing him will be much tougher.
Toronto has an appealing job opening. However, the timing for Toronto isn’t great. Right now, that could be what makes the difference.
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