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Marc Savard may have paid the price, but Toronto Maple Leafs Management said Tuesday that the team’s power-play struggles are a group responsibility.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said a day after firing assistant coach Savard, “The players have a responsibility and it doesn’t absolve anybody. It’s not like we take somebody out and blame that person. … It’s a change we can make to change the dynamic, maybe change the game a little bit.”
Treliving said the decision to let Savard go was ultimately his, although it was made after several discussions that also included head coach Craig Berube.
He said assistant coach Derek Lalonde will take a “main active role” guiding the power play for now.
“Never make a fun decision or have a fun day,” Treliving said. “The blame is not solely on Marc Savard. We need to be better in that area. It’s up to all of us.”
‘It’s on me, I’m the head coach’: Berube on Savard’s dismissal
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke to the media following the dismissal of assistant coach Marc Savard, saying that at the end of the day it was his fault.
The Maple Leafs have only 12 goals on the season with a 13.3 percent conversion rate on the power play. Both marks rank last in the NHL, as does his net percentage of 8.9 percent (the Leafs have also allowed four short-handed goals).
“That’s an area that’s cost us points in the standings, so it’s got to be better,” Treliving said.
Toronto enters Monday’s action in last place in the Eastern Conference with 35 points and a 15-15-5 record. However, the team is only six points away from the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs return to the ice later Tuesday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Toronto will get a boost in defenseman Chris Tanev, who is set to return from a lengthy injury layoff.
Why the Leafs aren’t making any panic moves to save this year
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joins The Fan Hockey Show to talk about the Maple Leafs firing Marc Savard, why it’s a quick move to replace PP and move Matthews, and why he doesn’t see the club making any panic moves.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sportsnet Elliot Friedman reported Neither Treliving nor Berube were in the hot seat after the Savard firing.
Treliving gave a vote of confidence to Berube.
He said, “I fully support Craig. When you go through tough times, it’s part of the business.” “There’s no separation. We all need to get better, we all recognize that, but I think we’ve got a really good coach.”
For his part, Berube also took charge of the contested power play.
He said, “It’s tough. (Savard is a) good friend, I’ve known him for a long time. It’s always tough, but we didn’t perform well enough and ultimately it cost me.”
Treliving said he’s not focused on business just to shake things up.
“I don’t think we’re turning the page on the season yet,” he said. “We’re not waving the white flag here. You always see change, but for the most part you have to make (improvements) internally.”
After facing the Penguins, the Maple Leafs will enter their holiday break, and will return to action on Saturday when Ontario battle against the Ottawa Senators. hockey night in canada in Toronto.