With simply the preseason and two common season video games within the books, it appears clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs are approaching accidents in a different way underneath head coach Craig Berube. Both the group is coping with an uncommon variety of accidents this season, or Berube is taking a extra cautious strategy to managing participant well being.
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Underneath former coach Sheldon Keefe, it wasn’t unusual to listen to about gamers pushing by means of accidents. Gamers usually gave the impression to be coping with varied points whereas nonetheless suiting up. That instructed a tolerance for enjoying harm so long as they may carry out moderately. Nevertheless, Berube’s early days behind the bench point out that the identical technique would possibly now not be correct.
Berube Appears to Have Shifted His Philosophy of Harm Administration
There are already notable variations between Berube and his predecessor. Berube, who has a status for demanding a extra bodily type of play from his groups, seems to be fostering a extra demanding, grittier tradition on the ice. Practices underneath Berube are reportedly tougher, quicker, and extra bodily than these underneath Keefe.
Final season, Keefe’s practices had been lighter, with music enjoying and a extra relaxed environment. This season, the music has been lower, and the tone of the group’s coaching has grow to be way more weighty and intense.
It’s no shock that accidents appear to be occurring extra steadily, even throughout observe periods. Whereas final season, most observe accidents appeared unintentional—gamers being hit by pucks or falling awkwardly—this season, the sheer depth of the practices could be contributing to extra bumps and bruises. Gamers are being pushed tougher bodily, which might result in extra put on and tear.
Berube Appears to Be Defending Gamers for the Lengthy Haul
What stands out most is how Berube handles these accidents. To this point, when he talks about gamers lacking time as a result of damage, he usually downplays the severity, calling them “minor” points. But, regardless of the seemingly minor nature of those accidents, gamers are lacking video games. This implies that he would possibly take a extra conservative strategy to participant well being. As an alternative of letting gamers push by means of nagging accidents, he seems extra prepared to take a seat them out to forestall additional harm.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
This is smart within the context of Berube’s teaching type. He expects his gamers to play a bodily grinding sport, and gamers who’re nursing even minor accidents won’t have the ability to play with the extent of aggression he calls for. Not solely might they danger worsening their accidents, however additionally they won’t have the ability to execute Berube’s sport plan totally.
Is There a Value to Berube’s Push for Elevated Physicality?
Berube’s system’s elevated bodily calls for would possibly put gamers at larger danger of damage. Taking part in a more durable, extra bodily type naturally results in extra bumps and bruises; extra intense practices might additionally contribute to this. With the season simply starting, it stays to be seen whether or not this pattern will proceed or if the group will modify because the schedule grind units in.
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May this shift have an effect on the Maple Leafs’ efficiency all through the season? On the one hand, resting gamers who’re lower than 100% would possibly hold them more healthy in the long term, permitting them to be more practical after they do play. However, a extra bodily type mixed with frequent accidents might result in a rotating lineup and disrupt group chemistry.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
Because the season progresses, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Berube’s strategy to accidents evolves. Will this cautious administration of participant well being repay later within the season? Will it hold gamers more energizing for a possible playoff run? Or will the elevated physicality of Berube’s system result in extra long-term damage considerations?
For now, it seems that Berube is balancing his want for a tricky, aggressive group with the necessity to shield gamers from pointless danger. Whether or not this technique will profit the group stays to be seen, but it surely’s clear that the Maple Leafs’ strategy to coping with accidents has already undergone a big change underneath their new head coach.
[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]
