Dallas Eakins shares his thoughts on Maple Leafs Craig Berube & Lane Lambert

It's been a busy week in what many consider to be the centre of the hockey universe. Chances are since the end of last season and throughout the summer you've heard almost everyone's opinion about what the Toronto Maple Leafs succeeded and failed in doing to become better organizationally whether, for instance, it included naming Auston Matthews the twenty-sixth captain in team history or earlier in the offseason the hiring Craig Berube & assistant Lane Lambert. While the topic of the hour is likely Auston Matthews and how he'll be as a captain leading arguably the most storied franchise in hockey history, the team on the Leafs Morning Take podcast spoke to their former assistant coach Dallas Eakins to get a read on what he felt about the hire of Craig Berube and Lane Lambert.

Eakins was asked a myriad of questions including whether the fans would be empathetic if the Maple Leafs took a step back during the regular season if it meant they would be ready for the playoffs, however, Eakins balked at the idea. Eakins believes that Berube will walk into Toronto not caring about what anyone thinks and that he's a win-or-bust type of coach.

Eakins is also a huge fan of the recent hire of assistant coach Lane Lambert who was a head coach with the New York Islanders as recently as the 2023 season.

Truth be told, a culture change could be exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs team need. With the change in general manager last season bringing in Brad Treliving and this season hiring a new head coach in Berube who helped create a coaching staff that includes Lane Lambert whom he believes can help the Maple Leafs win, is a bonus.

It's been asked time and time again. Can the Maple Leafs get over the hump and make an impact in the Stanley Cup playoffs? With several player personnel changes, that have a winning pedigree and a hard-nose no-nonsense coach, the sky is the limit.

Source - The Leafs Nation