Maple Leafs Appoint Marc Savard as Assistant Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially appointed Marc Savard as an assistant coach, assigning him the responsibility of overseeing the team’s power play.
This anticipated hiring was confirmed for the upcoming NHL season, filling the gap left by Guy Boucher, who did not return after the 2023-24 season. Savard’s primary task will be to rejuvenate a power play that underperformed in the playoffs.
Savard joins a largely overhauled coaching staff led by head coach Craig Berube. Along with Savard, the team has added Lane Lambert, formerly the head coach of the New York Islanders.
Remaining from the previous coaching team are Mike Van Ryn and Curtis Sanford, with video coaches Jordan Bean and Sam Kim also staying on.
This addition completes Berube’s staff for his inaugural year with the Maple Leafs. Berube, known for his extensive experience and success, including a Stanley Cup victory with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, has made substantial changes to fortify his support team.
We’ve hired Marc Savard as an assistant coach
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 23, 2024
Interestingly, the current Leafs coaching staff closely resembles 75% of the Blues’ 2019-20 coaching team, with Steve Ott staying with the Blues and Lane Lambert being the only new member.
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic notes that Berube and Savard’s professional relationship dates back to their time playing together with the Calgary Flames in the early 2000s. Berube commended Savard’s enthusiasm and profound understanding of the game, stating, “He was a tremendous player and possesses an elite offensive mind.”
Can Savard Revitalize the Maple Leafs’ Power Play?
As the Leafs aim for a more successful postseason, their power play will be crucial. Savard’s expertise in managing the power play is expected to be vital, with hopes that he can maximize the performance of the team’s elite forwards in this critical area.
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