The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a decisive step in what appears to be a strategy to reverse their recent downturn in form. The team has decided to part ways with assistant coach Marc Savard, who was primarily responsible for the power-play. This move is an obvious response to the Leafs’ poor performance in recent games, particularly in terms of their power-play success rate.

Toronto Maple Leafs Fire Marc Savard

In a move that shocked the hockey world, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced the dismissal of assistant coach Marc Savard on Monday evening. This development comes at a time when the team is grappling with a three-game losing streak and languishes near the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.

Savard was brought on board as part of the coaching staff in June 2024, the same time as Craig Berube was hired as the head coach of the Leafs. However, under his direction, the team’s power-play has been less than satisfactory. Currently, the Leafs’ power-play success rate is a dismal 13.3 per cent — the worst in the league.

Savard’s History in the NHL

Marc Savard is no stranger to the NHL. The 48-year-old has an impressive career spanning over 800 games with teams such as the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, and Boston Bruins. Prior to joining the Leafs, Savard had served as an associate coach with the St. Louis Blues and Flames. Despite this extensive experience, his strategies seem to have fallen flat when it came to improving the Leafs’ power-play performance.

Changes in the Leafs’ Coaching Staff

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs have no immediate plans to replace Savard. The coaching staff will now comprise of head coach Berube, assisted by Derek Lalonde and Mike Van Ryn.

Pressure Builds on the Leafs

The mood in Toronto is one of growing impatience, as the team heads into the holiday break with dismal odds of making it to the playoffs. If the Leafs fail to qualify for the postseason, it would mark their first such absence in a decade. The dismissal of Savard is clearly a move to shake things up and hopefully turn the tide in their favor.

Lead photo by Sergei Belski/Imagn Images.

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Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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