Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs Hire Savard Replacement, Add New Assistant Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday that they have hired Steve Sullivan as an Assistant Coach, replacing Marc Savard.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday that they have hired Steve Sullivan as an Assistant Coach, effectively filling the hole left behind by the recently released Marc Savard. Sullivan joins the Maple Leafs from the Toronto Marlies. He was an assistant coach with the Marlies and a veteran of 1,011 NHL games as a player.
The Maple Leafs fired power-play coach Marc Savard in a targeted move aimed at jumpstarting Auston Matthews, but reports indicate the firings stop there. Elliotte Friedman reported that GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube are not in danger despite the team’s struggles. It wasn’t clear if or when a replacement would be named.
The decision to fire Savard wasn’t shocking. Still, his being the only departure drew criticism from fans, many of whom view the move as symbolic rather than substantive, questioning whether real accountability is being avoided unless results improve quickly.
Meanwhile, Sullivan earns a rapid promotion in just his second year with the organization. He brings extensive coaching and front-office experience, including an interim AHL GM stint in Arizona, and is now tasked with helping revive Toronto’s league-worst power play.
Interestingly, Sullivan signed with and played for the Phoenix Coyotes in the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Brad Treliving was the Assistant GM of the Coyotes at that time. They have a history of working together.
Next: Analyst Calls Out Auston Matthews as Maple Leafs’ Biggest Issue
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