The Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant coaching change earlier this week, firing assistant coach Marc Savard in an effort to address the team’s ongoing struggles. To fill the vacancy, the organization promoted Steve Sullivan from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on Friday. Sullivan, a former NHL forward, has been part of the Leafs’ development system and is familiar with many of the club’s younger players, which likely influenced the decision.
However, the hiring of Sullivan was met with skepticism from fans. Many questioned his track record with the Marlies’ power play, which ranked in the lower half of the AHL’s Eastern Conference. Some fans expressed concern about whether Sullivan was the right choice to fix Toronto’s NHL-level problems.
Fan reactions on social media were mixed. Some fans pointed to more experienced options, wondering why a veteran coach like Bruce Boudreau was not considered. Others dismissed the move altogether, insisting that the responsibility should rest on the players rather than the coaching staff.
Savard’s dismissal followed months of frustration around the Leafs’ power play, which ranked at or near the bottom of the NHL. Despite the team’s high-end talent, the unit failed to gain traction under Savard’s leadership. With the Leafs sliding in the standings, management opted for a midseason shake-up by appointing Sullivan rather than a broader overhaul.
In a separate development, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving addressed rumors surrounding head coach Craig Berube’s job security. Treliving publicly supported Berube and rejected suggestions of pressure on the coach or a disconnect between management and the coaching staff. He emphasized that decision-making is collective and accountability for the team’s performance is shared across the organization.
Treliving also clarified the Leafs’ competitive approach moving forward, stating that the team has not shifted into a sell-off mindset and still believes the roster can be strengthened for a playoff push. Overall, the Leafs’ coaching change and GM’s statements have sparked discussions among fans about the team’s direction and potential for improvement.
