The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube, the team announced Wednesday.
The Maple Leafs finished 28th in the NHL this season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They registered 30 fewer points than the year prior.
Toronto named John Chayka as its new general manager earlier in May after firing previous GM Brad Treliving in March.
"Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person. This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig," Chayka said in a statement.
Berube guided the Maple Leafs to their first Atlantic Division title in 2024-25, his first season with the team. Toronto lost in Game 7 of the second round to the Florida Panthers.
Chayka and senior executive adviser Mats Sundin discussed the roster with Berube for several hours Saturday, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Berube had two years left on his contract at $4.5 million annually, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
The Leafs' next head coach will determine the rest of the coaching staff, the organization said.
Toronto won the draft lottery May 5 and will pick first overall in June's entry draft.
