Oilers in Talks With Former Maple Leafs Coach Berube
Edmonton explores hiring Craig Berube after Toronto dismissed him following disappointing season.
The Edmonton Oilers are actively pursuing Craig Berube to become their next head coach, marking a significant move in the organization's search for leadership after the end of the 2025-26 season. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Oilers have received permission to interview the former Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss, a signal that Edmonton views Berube as a serious candidate to turn the team around.
Berube's track record is solid—he's a veteran coach with playoff experience and a disciplined approach to the game. But his most recent stint in Toronto ended badly. The Maple Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-36-14 record, a stunning collapse for a team that won the division the previous year and made it to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The organization's patience wore thin, and Berube was shown the door less than a week before the Oilers came calling.
For Edmonton, the Berube conversation signals a shift in thinking. The team is looking for someone with heavyweight credentials who can stabilize a roster that includes Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but has struggled to deliver when it matters most. Whether Berube is the right fit remains to be seen, but his availability and the Oilers' interest suggest the organization is ready to make a bold coaching change.
It's a high-stakes gamble for both sides—Berube gets a chance to rebuild his reputation in a market that expects excellence, and the Oilers get a proven coach at a critical moment.