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The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the final day of the year sitting at 18-15-6, now sixth in the Atlantic Division. The countdown to the New Year has started, and the standings feel tighter with every game.
As the season pushes forward, the focus has not stayed only on the ice. Coaching noise has followed the team through December, creating distractions during the Leafs’ struggles to win games. That situation led to a rare moment of support from outside the organization.
What did Pete DeBoer Say About Contacting Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube?
Pete DeBoer recently shared why he felt compelled to contact Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube during a difficult period for Toronto. Appearing on The Leafs Nation, DeBoer explained that he wanted to shut down rumors and offer reassurance as speculation around Berube’s job picked up.
“I was talking with a close friend of (Berube), and I just felt that I wanted to relay that message to him: ‘Don’t listen to the noise, keep doing what you’re doing, there’s no truth to what’s being said,’” DeBoer said.
DeBoer said the message came from personal experience. He knows what it feels like to coach under constant rumors, especially when reports start to feel louder than reality. “When you’re in that spot, and I’ve been in that spot, you’re having sleepless nights as it is,” he said. He added that the extra layer of speculation only makes the job harder, calling it “unsubstantiated reports about this guy coming in, and this guy talking to someone.”
He framed the gesture as a simple act of respect between coaches. “If I could at least get him an extra half hour of sleep without worrying about Pete DeBoer, I was happy to do that,” DeBoer said.
The outreach first surfaced publicly when Elliotte Friedman reported that DeBoer sent word to Berube, making it clear he was not involved in any coaching change talk. Friedman said DeBoer’s response was direct, noting he had been on both sides of that situation and did not enjoy either.
Inside the organization, Toronto’s management also moved to quiet the noise. On Dec. 23, general manager Brad Treliving publicly backed Berube, saying, “I want to make it clear, I support Craig fully.” He pushed back on talk of a disconnect and stressed shared responsibility, adding, “We all have to be better.” Treliving acknowledged areas that need improvement but said the team remains united as the New Year arrives.
For the Maple Leafs, the focus now shifts back to results. They score enough to stay competitive, rely on a strong penalty kill, and remain close in the playoff race.
