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Craig Berube comments on top Toronto prospect's chances of making team | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 22:19 GMT by Sporting News
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Craig Berube on Toronto’s “Future Stars”: A Deep‑Dive into the Maple Leafs’ Prospect Pipeline

When former Jets head coach Craig Berube – who also steered Tampa Bay to a deep postseason run in 2023 – sat down with Sporting News, the conversation shifted from his coaching career to the next generation of NHL talent. “The Maple Leafs have a really solid group of prospects,” Berube said, and the interview turned into a detailed look at which young players could make the jump to Toronto in the next couple of seasons.

1. Who is Craig Berube?

Berube’s résumé is an eclectic blend of front‑office savvy and on‑ice leadership. He served as the Winnipeg Jets’ general manager and head coach from 2015‑2020, building a team that reached the Western Conference finals in 2018. A short stint in Tampa Bay’s coaching staff followed, culminating in a 2023 playoff berth. Outside the NHL, Berube has also coached at the junior level and worked as a broadcast analyst, so his comments on prospects carry a wealth of practical experience.

2. The Maple Leafs’ Top Prospects

Berube spent most of his interview dissecting the four players the Leafs’ front‑office currently see as “the next generation” of their core. He pointed out that the organization’s strategy has shifted toward developing talent rather than chasing big contracts – a move that has become essential as the current star‑laden core ages.

Berube highlighted Gauthier’s 2023 season as the linchpin. He’s already showing “a knack for finding the back of the net and a sense of the game’s tempo.” For the Leafs, Gauthier would represent the first piece of a “core rebuild” that could replace the veteran power forwards in the next few years.

3. Timing the Transition

A key element of the conversation was how quickly these prospects could make the jump. Berube emphasized that the Leafs have a “tight timeline.” With the current roster already being re‑structured around younger talent, the organization is looking at a phased approach:

• 2024‑25 season: Gauthier and Jordan would likely start on the AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, while the team evaluates their readiness for call‑ups.
• 2025‑26 season: Gauthier could earn a spot on the main roster, especially if he continues to deliver in the AHL and shows a strong work ethic in training camp.
• 2026‑27 season: The Leafs may open a defensive spot to someone like D’Angelo or Kelsey, allowing the team to maintain a balanced two‑way roster.

Berube remarked that “the Leafs don’t need to rush; they have to give the prospects a chance to learn and develop at the right level.” He also noted that the coaching staff in Toronto should keep an eye on how these players adapt to the NHL’s speed and physicality.

4. Broader Implications for Toronto

Beyond the individual players, Berube underscored the significance of having a healthy prospect pipeline. “Toronto has been criticized for its reliance on big‑name acquisitions, and that can be risky,” he said. “Prospects give you a built‑in option to replace aging veterans or to swap out underperforming players.” In a league where the salary cap forces teams to be nimble, a strong youth group provides depth and flexibility.

He added that the Leafs’ front‑office has invested heavily in player development. “They’ve hired analysts and scouts who track young talent closely. The system is in place to transition players smoothly.” This, Berube said, is what sets Toronto apart from other franchises that may be slower in promoting prospects.

5. Where to Find More

If you want a deeper dive into each prospect’s performance, the Sporting News article links to the individual player pages. Alex Gauthier’s page, for example, highlights his points per game, penalty minutes, and even a short video montage of his highlight plays. The links also direct you to Berube’s own career profile, which outlines his coaching milestones and philosophies.

6. Takeaway

Craig Berube’s candid assessment offers fans and analysts a clear view of what the Maple Leafs are banking on. Alex Gauthier, in particular, emerges as the cornerstone of the Leafs’ next-generation core. While it will take a few seasons for these prospects to reach their full potential, the franchise’s commitment to player development and a measured transition strategy suggests that Toronto may soon see a new era of young talent lighting up the ice. Berube’s perspective—rooted in coaching, scouting, and real‑world NHL experience—provides a roadmap for how the Leafs can transform their promising roster into a competitive, sustainable franchise.