‘Chief isn’t going to give a damn what anyone thinks’: Former Maple Leafs coach Dallas Eakins praises Craig Berube’s mentality, expects culture change under new leadership

Support for Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube continues to grow.

On Thursday, former Leafs and Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who was involved in the Leafs system from 2005 to 2013, commented on Berube’s no-nonsense approach on the latest episode of Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill. Eakins expressed optimism that the Leafs culture could undergo a significant transformation under the new leadership of Berube and associate coach Lane Lambert.

“I thought Chief was a great addition. He’s a Stanley Cup-winning coach. There’s no bullshit, no tiptoeing around issues with Chief – he goes straight to the point,” Eakins explained.

“The other thing I think is great that Chief and Brad (Treliving) did there, and I think it should happen more often in the NHL, I’ve talked about this pretty openly, is I think the more leadership you have on the bench, the better. Hiring Lane Lambert, who’s been a head coach in the league, I think it’s a great hire. I think it’s an incredible hire because of the leadership there.”

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Later in the text, Eakins noted that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, pun intended. He emphasized how it starts with the top brass and general manager Brad Treliving setting the tone through his acquisitions and changes behind the bench.

“I’ll take it a step further. Brad Treliving is a very passionate, smart general manager,” Eakins said. “Because he brings a different style of play, you see the difference in the players they bring in, that’s the first step to getting a new mentality of how to play. I know you have to have success in the regular season to make the playoffs, but then you have to have a certain type of team to win in the playoffs.”

He stressed that while regular-season success is important, the key to playoff success is building a team with the right mindset — a challenge Berube is well-equipped to handle. It’s easier said than done, though, and Eakins understands that better than anyone as a former coach and player in the Toronto market.

Eakins stressed that he doesn’t forget that Berube isn’t distracted by outside noise.

“I know the passion of that market in Toronto. It’s win or lose, it’s make or break, that’s just the way it is. That’s why I love Chief there. Chief doesn’t give a damn what anybody thinks,” Eakins noted.

Eakins maintained that he still owns a property in Toronto and keeps a close eye on the teams. He praised now-former Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe for his efforts, but also stressed the need for a fresh voice and approach. He stated that the Leafs have “done a really good job” with their new staff.

“I think Sheldon Keefe has done a fantastic job. I think he has done everything he can, but I do think Chief coming in will give the team a different way of doing things, a different voice in how they can be encouraged and inspired to do things,” Eakins said.

“Chief has taken a team all the way to the Stanley Cup and he certainly knows what it takes to get there. I think they’ve done a really good job with the GM, with Chief and Lambert there.”

Eakins joins a growing list of current and former NHL coaches, including the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper and veteran coach Bruce Boudreau, who have publicly praised Berube this summer. The consensus seems to be that Berube’s track record and no-nonsense style make him the right fit for a team looking to shake off years of playoff disappointments.

Related: ‘The Fear That Craig Berube Is Craig Berube’: Former NHL Head Coach Bruce Boudreau Believes the Maple Leafs Will Thrive Under an Accountability-Focused Bench Chief

Berube was hired as the Leafs’ 32nd head coach in franchise history following another first-round postseason exit in 2023-24. The 58-year-old has coached in 543 regular season games with a 281-190-72 record (.584 winning percentage) split between the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues. He’s 27-31 in the postseason and a Stanley Cup champion with the Blues in 2018-19.

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