Craig Berube to the Oilers would be comedy gold for Leafs fans

"The news cycle began this week with chatter that the Edmonton Oilers will be formally interviewing former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. Unlike the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs are not standing in the way of an ex-coach finding new employment. And it's because of the Golden Knights and refusing to let Bruce Cassidy talk to other teams that has fueled the Oilers' desperation. That desperation has reached the point of talking to Berube."

"It's not that Berube is a bad coach. He could still be a successful NHL bench boss. But after the way things ended for him and St. Louis, and the way they crumbled in Toronto, Edmonton could do better. Yes, the Oilers' preferred coach is Cassidy. There's little question about that. But if they can't have Cassidy, who else can they turn to? Edmonton already dropped the ball by unceremoniously canning Kris Knoblauch."

"There are no other high-end coaches out there for the Oilers to choose from. Peter DeBoer signed at the end of the regular season with the Islanders. Unless Edmonton is willing to go off the cuff and hire a first-time head coach, their only option is Berube. Now, it just seems like the optics of the situation are getting worse for the Oilers."

"Oilers hiring Berube would clear his salary off Maple Leafs' books Should the Oilers hire Berube, it would effectively clear "Chief's" contract off the Maple Leafs' books. When the Leafs hired Berube, they inked him to a four-year, $18 million contract, The Athletic noted. However, the Leafs fired him with two years left on the deal. Since the organization still has to honor the contract, Toronto is on the hook for the remainder."

Edmonton Oilers coaching rumors include a formal interview with former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. The situation is driven by limited alternatives after the Oilers moved on from Kris Knoblauch and because other teams have not made coaching openings available. Berube is viewed as capable, but his recent endings with St. Louis and Toronto raise concerns. Edmonton’s preferred target is Bruce Cassidy, yet Cassidy may not be available. If Edmonton hires Berube, the remaining contract obligations tied to Toronto could be cleared from Maple Leafs payroll, with Edmonton potentially paying the remainder depending on contract terms.

Read at Editor In Leaf