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Polarizing former NHL coach believes the Maple Leafs are closer to winning a Stanley Cup under Craig Berube

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Tyler Ball
October 15, 2024  (9:58 PM)
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Former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville speaking after a game in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Photo credit: Rob Grabowski - USA Today

This evening a new interview with former NHL head coach Joel Quenneville has revealed that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting closer to a Stanley Cup.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a lot of changes this summer that fans are hoping will lead to a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run. The Maple Leafs hired new head coach Craig Berube. After hiring Berube the Maple Leafs went to work improving the roster.

The Maple Leafs added Chris Tanev and Oliver-Ekman Larsson on defense while also adding Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz up front. Since making the changes the Maple Leafs have had an up-and-down beginning to the start of their season. This has caused a lot of discussion over whether or not the Maple Leafs have what it takes to be a Stanley Cup winning team this year.

Joining this discussion today was former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville. Joel Quenneville is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks but also a polarizing name. Quenneville was let go by the Chicago Blackhawks after failing to report serious and horrific allegations made by one of his former players Kyle Beach against a team trainer. Even with these serious problems that surrounded Joel Quenneville several NHL teams were still reportedly interested in hiring Quenneville this summer. Instead, he remains out of a job and now has spoken about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

John Quenneville speaks about the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup chances

First, he spoke about the additions to the defense. The addition of personality and physicality into the Maple Leafs defensive corps was a huge sign of improvement according to Joel Quenneville. When asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of being a Stanley Cup-quality team Joel Quenneville did not hold back.

Yeah absolutely you look at the balance they have now. There's a little more personality on the backend. A little more physicality.


A lot of this increase in physicality from the Toronto Maple Leafs can also be attributed to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. Berube joined the organization wanting to make sure the Maple Leafs were harder to play against against and according to Joel Quenneville, they are. After praising their defense Joel Quenneville did point out that there is one position that could derail the Toronto Maple Leafs. As it has been for many seasons the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending is something that needs to be paid attention to.

Goaltending that's always a work in progress and a strong discussion.


At the end of the day, John Quenneville believes like many that the Toronto Maple Leafs will go as far as their forwards can take them. Despite a slow start from the Maple Leafs stars, Joel Quenneville reminds fans there aren't many teams with the skill the Maple Leafs have.

Not too many teams are going to have that type of ability up front.


The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely heading back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024-25. Head coach Craig Berube has made several changes fans have been clamoring for over th years. If the Maple Leafs can fill a few key areas they could end up being the ones lifting the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

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Polarizing former NHL coach believes the Maple Leafs are closer to winning a Stanley Cup under Craig Berube

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