(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The Maple Leafs fired coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Berube, 60, went 84-62-18 after succeeding Sheldon Keefe in 2024. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division and next to last in the Eastern Conference this season.

'Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,' general manager John Chayka said in a statement Wednesday. 'This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.'

The Maple Leafs finished 31st in the NHL allowing 3.60 goals per game. Captain Auston Matthews suffered a season-ending left leg injury in March and his future is up in the air.

Toronto has not made a decision on any assistant coaches, whose fate will be in the hands of Berube's replacement, the team said.

Senior executive adviser Mats Sundin was promoted May 3, when the team named Chayka general manager.

'We have all the resources to be successful but without the right structure, the right processes in place, without the right culture, without the alignment and accountability among everyone inside the operation, we will not be successful. That change starts today,' Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley said earlier this month. 'I'm disappointed in our results this season, and I'm disappointed in the results that we have provided to our fans but today is a step to change them and to get back to our winning ways and to contend for the Cup on an annual basis.'

Berube led St. Louis to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019. He is 365-252-90 in 10 seasons as a head coach with the Philadelphia Flyers, Blues and Maple Leafs.

--Field Level Media