Maple Leafs under pressure to change coaches as rival teams eye their main target

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Craig Berube have been the subject of speculation to start the year, as the head coach has struggled to motivate his team.

Just last week, the Leafs were in the midst of a horrible losing streak and were in last place in the Eastern Conference. At the time, it felt like Berube's job was on the line.

Since that time, the Leafs have won three of their last four and are coming off some impressive wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers.

With that in mind, it seems like Berube has bought himself some time. However, the Leafs' main head coaching target is in high demand, and the Leafs are facing pressure to make a move.

In case it isn't obvious, that coaching target is none other than Peter DeBoer, who was let go by the Dallas Stars this past Summer.

According to Frank Seravalli, numerous teams are taking a look at DeBoer, and it feels like a team is going to make the plunge very soon.

Simply put, it is now or never for the Leafs. Given the fact that Berube and the Leafs are starting to roll, the DeBoer backup plan is probably out the window.

As for who else will get DeBoer, our guess is the Montreal Canadiens, who are starting to show some cracks under Martin St. Louis, and could use a veteran coach to whip them into shape.

No matter what, DeBoer is going to be someone who gets a job fast, as he remains one of the league's best bench bosses.